What should be done if there is a total electrical failure in flight?

• A. Use the standby power sources for essential systems, follow abnormal procedures, declare an emergency, and plan for an immediate safe landing
• B. Immediately attempt to relight the engines
• C. Continue flight with the remaining nonessential systems
• D. Notify passengers and continue to destination

Answer: (A)

When electrical power is completely lost, your focus must be on keeping the airplane controllable and maintaining enough situational awareness to land safely. The standby electrical system is designed to keep the essential flight instruments and basic communications available, so you can continue to fly, navigate, and monitor the aircraft despite the loss of normal power. Following the abnormal procedures ensures you apply the correct steps to manage the failure, identify what remains powered, isolate nonessential loads, and orderly reconfigure systems as needed. Declaring an emergency communicates the seriousness of the situation to ATC and gives you priority handling and access to needed resources. Planning for an immediate safe landing centers your actions on getting down at the nearest suitable airport with the remaining capabilities and fuel in mind, rather than trying to continue to a destination or pursue nonessential goals.

Relighting engines isn’t the immediate priority or guaranteed to be feasible with the loss of electrical power, and continuing with nonessential systems or simply notifying passengers without addressing the power loss wouldn’t address the critical safety requirements.