Engine failure

Engine failure is a term used to describe an event when an engine of some kind ceases to work correctly. The term can apply to either non life-threatening failure (such as the failure of a lawn mower engine) or a life-threatening failure (failure of an aeroplane or helicopter engine). Some causes of engine failure can include:

• Human error
• Missing/damaged components
• Use-up of fuel (for fuel-powered engines)
• Exposure to the elements/unsatisfactory conditions (in some cases rust can be formed, a known trigger of many failures)
• Overuse
• Foreign object damage (such as bird strike in aeroplanes)