What happened
The flight originated in St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to departure, the crew encountered difficulty starting the engine. Initial restart attempts failed until an auxiliary power unit was utilized to successfully start the engine. The aircraft departed at 1746 local time.
Approximately one hour into the flight, the pilot observed the ammeter indicating a discharge condition. Despite this warning, the flight continued toward the destination. Subsequently, the aircraft experienced a total loss of electrical power. This failure prevented the landing gear from extending via the normal hydraulic or electric system.
When preparing to land, the pilot attempted to locate the emergency gear extension device and consult the operating manual. However, he had inadvertently left his flashlight in his vehicle. Unable to see in the darkened cockpit, he could not read the instructions or find the emergency handle. The aircraft landed with the gear retracted, sustaining significant damage to the airframe.
The investigation
A post-acc examination of the aircraft revealed that the alternator field wire had become disconnected. This mechanical failure was the root cause of the electrical system malfunction that led to the loss of power and the subsequent inability to extend the landing gear normally.