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)