What happened
During flight, the aircraft experienced a complete electrical failure attributed to the failure of the alternator belt. Without electrical power, the pilot was unable to deploy the flaps, which significantly compromised the approach and landing capability. The situation was further complicated by adverse weather conditions, including darkness, fog, and a lack of runway lighting.
Attempting to land in these difficult circumstances, the pilot executed a long approach with limited visibility. The aircraft ultimately landed on the grass adjacent to the runway rather than on the paved surface itself. Upon touchdown, the nose wheel collapsed due to the hard impact and off-runway conditions, resulting in damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation identified the root cause of the electrical system loss as a mechanical failure of the alternator belt. This failure led to the total loss of electrical power in flight, which prevented the operation of critical systems such as the flaps and likely contributed to the inability to maintain proper situational awareness during the final approach due to the loss of electrical lighting.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the severity of the incident. The primary mechanical failure was the alternator belt. Environmental conditions, specifically darkness and fog, severely reduced visibility. The lack of runway lights further hindered the pilot's ability to align with the runway. Additionally, the inability to use flaps due to the electrical failure resulted in a higher approach speed and longer landing distance. The collapse of the nose wheel was a direct result of the hard landing on the grass beside the runway.