"HankPilot2002" wrote in message ...
The return to the field after an engine loss is one of the toughest decisions a
pilot will ever have to make. My personal minimum will be 800' AGL; or it's
straight ahead into the sod farm.

I turned around from about 500 feet. First, there was NOWHERE to go straight
ahead (short of landing on the roof of the Costco). Second, I still had partial power
but I'd throttled way back because of the intense vibration. Third, I didn't have
to make a return to the runway. When I started the turn, my intent was to land
on the airport access road, which parallels the runway. Anyhow I made it
back to the runway, mostly because I had gotten the aircraft cleaned up before
the engine conked, so my glide was a lot better. It wasn't until I was
back over the runway at 100' or so that I remembered to drop the gear.
Fortunately, they come down quick in the Navion.