Flight 710 Crash After Dual Generator Failure (N748LL)

Flight Progression and Electrical Failure Flight 710 departed Chicago, Illinois, for Carbondale, Illinois, via Springfield, Illinois. The flight arrived at Springfield approximately 45 minutes behind schedule at about 20:05. At 20:11, the crew received updated Carbondale weather reporting a 2,000-foot overcast ceiling, 2-mile visibility, light rain, and fog. The crew requested IFR clearance with an en route altitude of 5,000 feet. At 20:16, Flight 710 was cleared to taxi to runway 15 for takeoff. The aircraft took off at 20:20 and climbed to cruising altitude. At 20:21:34, the flight crew informed the departure controller of a “slight electrical problem” and said it would keep the controller advised. The flight then requested and was cleared to maintain 3,000 feet. ## Crew Reports and Loss of Power At 20:23:54, the first officer told the captain that the left generator was “totally dead” and that the right generator was producing voltage but could not be loaded. At 20:24:26, the first officer reported zero voltage and amperes on the left side, while the right generator was producing 27.5 volts but could not be placed on the line. Battery voltage later dropped to 22 volts. The crew also shut off excess cabin lights because of the electrical problem. About 20:38, the first officer mistakenly isolated the right generator and right generator bus bar from the aircraft’s dc electrical distribution system. Radio contact was lost when the flight was requested to change radio frequencies. At 20:52, the captain decided to descend to 2,400 feet, and voltage had further dropped to 13 volts. The aircraft continued to descend and struck the ground in an open pasture area.