Incident Overview
On 13 June 2016, a Saab SF-340A operated by SprintAir SA was involved in an electrical incident shortly after departure from Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). The flight, which began at 04:51 UTC, was in the climb phase approximately 8–10 minutes into the flight and 3 minutes after leaving the EPWA terminal area when the crew observed an "ELEC" warning light illuminate on the center warning panel. This was accompanied by the "R ESS BUS" and "R MAIN BUS" warning lights on the overhead panel.
Cockpit Indications and Crew Response
The crew noted a loss of several instrument indications and failures of equipment powered by the right essential and main electrical buses. In response, they executed the Abnormal checklists A18 and A19, which are designed for such electrical malfunctions, and also consulted the Electrical Power Distribution List. The decision was made to return to EPWA.
Return and Landing
At 04:52 UTC, an uncertainty phase was declared at EPWA. Due to a malfunction of the landing gear position indicator, the crew requested a low pass over the runway so that air traffic control could confirm the landing gear extension. The low pass was performed at 05:13 UTC, followed by a second approach and a successful landing at 05:27 UTC. All phases of the low pass, approach, and landing were conducted normally.
Post-Flight Findings
After landing, maintenance personnel identified an abnormal operation of circuit breaker S7, labeled "R ESS / R MAIN". Upon replacing the circuit breaker, the electrical system returned to normal operation. No further anomalies were reported.
Probable Cause
The incident was attributed to a malfunction of circuit breaker S7 – "R ESS / R MAIN". The investigation did not issue any safety recommendations.