Aircraft Excursion Following Battery Depletion

Casualties unknown • Orlando, FL, US

An aircraft veered off the runway into a ditch after the pilot inadvertently deactivated the alternator control, leading to battery exhaustion and landing gear complications.

What happened

During cruise flight, the pilot turned off the left half of the split-rocker type master switch. This specific switch controls the alternator, and its deactivation resulted in the battery being drained.

Upon approaching the runway, the crew utilized the emergency method to extend the landing gear. The aircraft touched down on Runway 7 with a wind from 030 degrees at 10 knots. Following touchdown, the aircraft traveled off the right side of the runway and into a ditch. The pilot reported that the brakes were inoperative during the event and noted that the emergency gear extension system was difficult to operate.

The investigation

Maintenance records and inspections revealed that the right main gear tire had developed a flat spot. Subsequent checks of the aircraft systems showed that the brake system, the alternator, and the emergency gear extension system all continued to operate normally without failure or malfunction following the incident.

Probable cause

The pilot's accidental deactivation of the left half of the split-rocker type master switch caused the alternator to cease operation, leading to battery depletion.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-12-09 Cessna 182RG accident near Orlando, FL?

An aircraft veered off the runway into a ditch after the pilot inadvertently deactivated the alternator control, leading to battery exhaustion and landing gear complications.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-12-09 involved a Cessna 182RG, registration N5157T, operated by Air Orlando, at Orlando, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's accidental deactivation of the left half of the split-rocker type master switch caused the alternator to cease operation, leading to battery depletion.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X24787. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…