What should a pilot do if engine failure occurs at altitude?

In the event of engine failure at altitude, the pilot's priority is to maintain control of the aircraft and manage the rotor RPM effectively. Lowering the collective pitch control allows for maintaining rotor RPM, which is crucial for the helicopter's ability to autorotate. This means that the rotor blades continue to spin, providing lift and enabling the pilot to glide towards a suitable landing area without engine power.

Maintaining rotor RPM is critical because if the rotor speed decreases too much, it can lead to a stall, which puts the helicopter in a danger zone for a crash landing. Autorotation, therefore, is a vital maneuver that requires managing the helicopter's energy and maintaining flight characteristics as the pilot descends to a safe landing site. This response prioritizes safety by ensuring that the pilot can make a controlled descent and landing for both the passengers and the aircraft.