3，He had travelled only seven miles across the Channel when his engine failed and he was forced to land on the sea.

when = at that moment

failed: 这里意思是：break down，失灵，出故障

fail  失败，忽视;  fail to 未能

e.g. She failed to win the prize.

e.g. When I saw him, my words failed me.

be forced to do 被迫做……

4, The 'Antoinette' floated on the water until Latham was picked up by a ship.

pick up 这里意思是：save, rescue

5, Two days later, Louis Bleriot arrived near Calais with a plane called 'No. XI'.

with a plane: with 具有、带有新概念第二册