EFATO

EFATO - Engine Failure After Take Off.

Every pilots worst nightmare.

It happened to me just after take off on 2nd May 2025.

Takeoff was totally normal and everything as it should be. Just cleared the boundary fence at about 200 ft with plenty of airspeed (90 knots, I never climb out slow) when there was a vibration and reduction of power. 

I immediately lowered the nose and changed fuel tanks with no improvement. 
I then looked back to judge my height and position to the runway and saw a big plume of blue smoke behind me. 

I turned around and found I actually had too much energy so did another S turn while getting the flaps down. Finally a big side slip to get back onto the reciprocal runway. Wind was 3-5 knots so not a big factor in my downwind landing.

I made a mayday call (my first) as there was an aircraft taxiing out to take off so I didn’t want him blocking the runway.  

Took 2 beers to finally get to sleep at midnight then woke up at 4am and ran it through in my mind again. Did I do the right thing? What would I have done differently? Answer is nothing. Had the wind been stronger and it happened 5 seconds earlier then I would have landed straight ahead in a field. 

I didn’t panic or mishandle the controls at all. Constantly flying on the edge with my Aeros no doubt helped here as I spin it pretty much every time I fly. 

Be safe and enjoy your Twister.

Oil all over my tailplane after the EFATO.