During an in-flight engine shutdown, follow the abnormal procedures checklist and divert to the nearest suitable airport.

Engine shutdown in-flight isn’t a moment to improvise. For SkyWest ERJ crews, it’s a tested scenario that hinges on clear decisions, rigorous procedures, and a calm, steady hand. In the world of Cockpit Qualification (CQ) and Knowledge Validation (KV), the doorway to safety is paved with training that makes the right move feel almost instinctive. Here’s how the topic typically plays out in the program, and why the correct answer—follow the abnormal procedures checklist and divert to the nearest suitable airport—keeps people safe when the unexpected shows up.

Let me set the scene

You’re cruising smoothly, then a warning light or an odd engine indication pops up. The first impulse isn’t panic; it’s to reset, re-check, and rely on a trusted guide. That guide is the abnormal procedures checklist tucked in the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH). It doesn’t pretend to anticipate every tease of data or every gust of wind. Instead, it provides step-by-step actions that crews practice until they become a reflex, a reliable rhythm you fall back on in the heat of the moment.

Think of the CQ/KV framework as the spine of the flight deck. CQ helps you prove you can handle the cockpit under normal and abnormal conditions; KV checks that you really understand the why behind the steps, not just the how. When an engine acts up, the training nudges you to treat the situation as a single, coherent problem: keep control, verify the issue, apply the approved procedures, and get everyone on the ground safely if needed. The endgame isn’t “finish the mission” at any cost; it’s “get the airplane down safely with minimal risk.”

What does “follow abnormal procedures checklist” actually mean in this scenario?

Here’s the thing: the QRH isn’t a vague manual; it’s a living set of instructions tailored to the ERJ’s systems and the airline’s operating philosophy. When an in-flight engine shutdown is suspected or confirmed, the crew:

• Identify and verify the abnormal condition. This means cross-checking the engine indications, confirming there’s a real anomaly and not a transient readings glitch. It’s a mental audit plus a quick system check—no heroics, just discipline.

• Execute the abnormal procedures for that engine. The checklist guides you through what to do with power, fuel, hydraulics, and any related systems. It’s designed to stabilize the airplane, preserve safe flight, and manage any secondary effects (like loss of certain systems or degraded performance).

• Maintain aircraft control and situational awareness. That includes keeping the airspeed steady, managing bank and pitch, and coordinating with air traffic control and the cabin crew. It’s a cockpit team sport—CRM in action.

• Consider a diversion. The handbook doesn’t say, “finish the trip no matter what.” It says, “divert to the nearest suitable airport when the situation warrants.” Sometimes the shortest route to a safe landing is off the original plan, and that’s precisely what the procedure guides you toward.

Why divert to the nearest suitable airport matters

Diverting isn’t a failure of mission; it’s the safest choice when the integrity of the aircraft’s systems is in question. The nearest suitable airport provides a controlled environment for a safe landing, a place where maintenance teams can inspect the aircraft and provide the right support post-landing. It also minimizes the risk to passengers and crew by reducing the time spent with unstable performance or abnormal pressures.

In the CQ/KV framework, diversion is treated as part of risk management. You’re trained to weigh the current situation, the capabilities of the remaining engine(s), weather, fuel state, and the plausibility of continuing toward the original destination. The guiding principle is simple: protect lives and the airplane first, then deal with the logistics. That mindset is why “divert to the nearest suitable airport” is the prudent answer to an engine shutdown scenario.

Why the other options don’t fit safety standards

Let’s briefly unpack why the other choices aren’t aligned with established safety protocols:

• A. Call the cabin crew and wait for instructions. This sounds cooperative, but it’s too passive for a reducing-visibility, high-stakes moment. The crew needs to act first, with the QRH guiding the immediate actions. Cabin crew communication is vital, but waiting for instruction would waste precious seconds and could hamper a controlled response.

• B. Open cockpit windows and request immediate landing. Open windows at altitude? That’s not a safe option for several reasons—pressurization, temperature, structural integrity, and airflow. It’s not how flight safety is practiced, and it breaks the disciplined sequence you train for in CQ and KV.

• D. Continue flying to the final destination regardless. That’s the kind of thinking you practice against. Continuing a flight with an engine issue while ignoring abnormal procedures and a diversion plan increases risk for everyone on board. It’s exactly why the QRH and diversion procedures exist in the first place.

A glimpse of the cockpit reality

In training circles, engine-out scenarios feel almost cinematic—the lights, the alarms, the steady rhythm of checklists. Yet the reality is more grounded. The engine doesn’t have to be completely failed to trigger an abnormal procedure; a significant performance deviation or warning calls you to action. The crew’s job is not to “fix it” in the moment but to manage the aircraft safely, communicate clearly, and arrange a landing plan that carries the least risk.

That’s where the KV component shines. It’s not enough to memorize a handful of steps; you need to understand why each step exists. Why is the affected engine isolated, for example? Why do we switch to a single-engine approach while preserving safe bank angles and safe speed margins? KV drives that deeper understanding, turning a sequence into a robust, adaptable skill set. When you can explain the rationale behind the steps, you’re less likely to skip something in a pinch and more likely to handle the situation with composure.

Real-world takeaways you can carry into the cockpit

• Train the habit of reading and cross-checking the QRH under pressure. The checklist is the map; your quick, accurate interpretation is the compass.

• Cultivate quiet communication. Clear, concise phrases with ATC and cabin crew reduce confusion when the dog days of a system fault arrive.

• Practice a calm, methodical workflow. When the adrenaline spikes, the right sequence feels like a well-worn routine. That’s the soul of CQ and KV training—turning familiarity into safety.

• Embrace the value of diversion as a decision, not a defeat. A strategic stop can be the best long-term plan for everyone on board.

• Debriefs matter. After landing, a thorough review helps the crew turn a difficult encounter into a better-equipped, safer future flight.

A note on how this resonates with CQ and KV training

For SkyWest crews operating ERJs, the engine-shutdown scenario isn’t merely a theoretical drill. It’s a benchmark of readiness. CQ checks that you can maintain control and follow procedures under pressure. KV confirms you grasp the why—how the airplane responds, how the systems interact, and how your choices influence outcomes. Together, they create a cockpit culture where safety isn’t a slogan—it’s the practiced rhythm of every flight.

A few practical tips if you’re studying the topic

• Keep the abnormal procedures checklist visible and familiar. Skim through it a few times, then simulate the sequence in your mind. Repetition helps the steps feel second nature.

• Pair with a partner for CRM-style drills. One person calls the procedures; the other tracks the aircraft state and options. Switch roles to build flexible teamwork.

• Listen to real-world case studies. Debriefs from actual incidents highlight what worked, what didn’t, and how crews stabilized a situation and landed safely.

• Tie it back to outcomes. When you think about engine-shutdown drills, aim for the outcome you want: a safe landing, controlled deceleration, clear communications, and a smooth transition to post-flight actions.

In the end, what you’re really training for is not a single moment in the sky, but a mindset. The correct approach—follow the abnormal procedures checklist and divert to the nearest suitable airport—embodies the balance CQ and KV strive to instill: disciplined procedure, clear thinking, and a focus on safety above all else. If you carry that into every flight, you’re not just flying—you’re flying with intention, preparation, and a deep respect for the art and science of safe aviation. And that respect? It’s what keeps every passenger, every crew member, and every airplane on the right side of the clouds.