Incident Overview
On April 1, 2017, near EPCD aerodrome, a Cessna 152 experienced an incident during a navigation training flight for junior pilots. The pilot, with a total flight time of 96 hours (79 hours on type), was conducting the flight when, approximately 100 minutes into the flight, he noticed that the alternator switch was in the off position. Upon turning it on, the alternator indicator moved to the far right of the gauge. The pilot attempted to restart the alternator several times, but the situation did not change. He then discontinued the training task and returned to the departure airport.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed that the pilot had not turned on the alternator switch after starting the engine. When the switch was eventually engaged after about 100 minutes of flight, the charging indicator showed the needle at the far right, which correctly indicated battery discharge. The pilot misinterpreted this situation as a result of alternator damage and excessive charging current, leading to multiple attempts to restart the alternator.
Causes and Contributing Factors
The official report identified two causes of the incident: 1. Incomplete execution of the start procedure by the pilot. 2. Improper assessment of the situation caused by the incomplete start procedure.
A contributing factor was the pilot's low experience level.
Preventive Measures
As a result of the incident, the operator discussed pre-flight preparation errors and improper reading of pre-flight checklists with the incident participant and with students at the training center, emphasizing the importance of monitoring actions performed in the cockpit.
Probable Cause
1. Incomplete execution of start procedure by the pilot. 2. Improper assessment of the situation caused by incomplete start procedure.