# DC power distribution system - Type: NTSB finding subsection - Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft systems](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0102) › [Electrical power system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010224) › DC power distribution system - NTSB code: 01022460 - Cases: 13 - In the probable cause: 13 - Fatal cases: 0 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022460/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022460/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022460 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 3 / 3 - 2009: 1 / 1 - 2011: 1 / 1 - 2012: 1 / 1 - 2014: 1 / 1 - 2015: 1 / 1 - 2017: 1 / 1 - 2019: 1 / 1 - 2022: 2 / 2 - 2025: 1 / 1 ## Defining events in these cases - [Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332): 7 cases - [Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150): 3 cases - [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 2 cases - [Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342): 1 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k): 1 cases - [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-md-88): 1 cases - [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n): 1 cases - [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m): 1 cases - [Boeing 757-223](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-757-223): 1 cases - [Iniziative Industriali Italian SKY ARROW 600 SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/iniziative-industriali-italian-sky-arrow-600-sport): 1 cases - [David Terhaar CCK-2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/david-terhaar-cck-2000): 1 cases - [Ziebell Grant G ZENITH CH 750 STOL](https://openairdocs.org/model/ziebell-grant-g-zenith-ch-750-stol): 1 cases - [Hoyle Clifford L FIGHTER ESCORT WINGS](https://openairdocs.org/model/hoyle-clifford-l-fighter-escort-wings): 1 cases - [Bartle Henry LANCAIR IV-P](https://openairdocs.org/model/bartle-henry-lancair-iv-p): 1 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035) (Personnel issues): 2 cases - [Electrical pwr sys wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022497) (Aircraft): 2 cases - [DC generator-alternator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022434) (Aircraft): 2 cases - [Battery/charger](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432) (Aircraft): 2 cases - [Not determined, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000) (Not determined): 1 cases - [Adequacy of policy/proc](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021015) (Organizational issues): 1 cases - [Document/info production](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04013020) (Organizational issues): 1 cases - [Equipment manufacture](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04013010) (Organizational issues): 1 cases - [Document/info verification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04012025) (Organizational issues): 1 cases - [Below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075) (Environmental issues): 1 cases ## Newest cases - [NTSB CEN25LA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA401), Sep 7, 2025: CubCrafters CCK-2000 (N40DT), Thompsonville, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to a lack of ignition resulting from a fractured alternator ring terminal and the builder’s incorrect installation of the wire connecting to the alternator.… - [NTSB CEN22LA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA430), Sep 24, 2022: Agusta AW139 (N811TA), Houma, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inflight loss of collective control of the helicopter due to thermal damage of a collective control torque tube that abraded with misrouted electrical wiring, which resulted in an electrical… - [NTSB WPR22LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA322), Aug 26, 2022: Ray E Roberts Kitfox V Vixen (N52367), Caldwell, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power due to a loose wire leading to the engine’s electronic control unit (ECU). Contributing was the pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack while maneuvering,… - [NTSB ERA19LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA177), May 16, 2019: Zenith CH750 (N750GZ), Savannah, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power due to a loss of all electrical power. Contributing to the accident was the inaccessible placement of the alternator circuit breaker and the construction of the… - [NTSB CEN17LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA313), Jul 20, 2017: Canion Michael W Zodiac 601XL (N577M), Grady, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to a lack of ignition resulting from a broken alternator wire. - [NTSB ERA15LA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA323), Aug 22, 2015: Cessna 150 (N4057V), Dorado, PR, substantial damage. Probable cause: A short circuit of unknown origin, which resulted in electrical arcing in the engine compartment and smoke in the cockpit, which necessitated a precautionary landing to a field. - [NTSB ERA14CA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA420), Aug 23, 2014: Mooney M20K (N231MN), Vero Beach, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot and personnel from the fixed base operator to assure the correct ground power unit was utilized to provide external power, resulting in damage to the aircraft's electrical… - [NTSB CEN12LA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA389), Jun 23, 2012: Hoyle Fighter Escort Wings (N2051P), Pueblo, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: An internal failure of one of the electrical system’s two batteries combined with the inadequate electrical system design, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB ERA11LA502](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA502), Sep 23, 2011: Cessna P210N (N210LE), South Deerfield, MA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the electrical system due to an alternator failure during flight in instrument meteorological conditions, and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and failure to use the… - [NTSB ERA09IA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09IA326), Jun 8, 2009: Iniziative Sky Arrow (N445SA), Marietta, GA, incident, no damage. Probable cause: An electrical fire due to the lack of a positive locking mechanism for the fuse retainer in the main fuse block, which resulted in voltage fluctuations that caused thermal damage to the avionics… NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted. Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1). NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.