How would you perform an emergency descent if you suspect a pitot-static failure?

• A. Maintain control using attitude references, maintain a safe airspeed if known, and rely on standby altitude; follow emergency procedures.
• B. Push the nose over to accelerate.
• C. Shut down engine.
• D. Extend landing gear.

Answer: (A)

When pitot-static readings are suspect, your primary goal is to keep the airplane under control and maintain a known safe flight path without overrelying on unreliable speed data. Use the attitude indicator to hold a stable pitch and bank, and rely on standby instruments to judge your flight status. If you have a known safe airspeed from memory or from standby instruments, hold that speed to avoid stalling or excessive descent. Keep a close eye on the standby altimeter to maintain awareness of your altitude while you complete the emergency procedures. Following the prescribed pitot-static/abnormal procedures helps you diagnose the issue and proceed to a safe landing or return.

Pushing the nose over to accelerate ignores the unreliable airspeed indication and can lead to a stall or loss of control. Shutting down the engine or extending the landing gear doesn’t address the primary issue and won’t improve control or situational awareness in this scenario.