Engine Failure!

During training with my instructor, once, we had a real engine failure in a helicopter! It happened very fast, but we made it to the ground safely and landed in a parking lot near Half Moon Bay, next to the ocean! 

I learned quite a bit from this experience, including "Luck Is What Happens When Preparation Meets Opportunity." My instructor and I had worked on emergency procedures many times before, and we both executed a well-rehearsed, pre-determined plan as per our memorized checklists. While my instructor did the flying and landed the helicopter safely, I also learned about Aeronautical Decision Making and Crew Resource Management via a real-life adventure!

There was a nut loose from the previous maintenance check in one of the six engine cylinders (human error), one that could not have been caught in the pre-flight inspection. The engine itself was fine, and the cylinder was replaced with a new one. 

Flying is still safe. Accidents are rare, but they do happen; never become complacent.