CBS Miami reports the pilot was the only person on board a single-engine Cessna Skyhawk M aircraft that went down at approximately a. The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating what led to the crash.
The pilot arrived at the airport ready to fly home after having been away for the weekend seeing a child off to college. The source of the problem was obvious as soon as he looked at the instrument panel: The master switch had been left onβ¦for two full days. The battery was so depleted that it was impossible to sound the stall warning or even engage the master solenoid. Anxious to get home and knowing that it would be challenging to get help on a Sunday, the pilot began to rationalize shortcuts to get home quickly.
With VFR conditions forecast for the duration of the flight home, he thought that the risks of jump-starting the airplane and flying home were minimal. At his request, the ground crew at the FBO brought over a tug and hooked it up to the external power plug on the airplane.
Finally, the dead battery and the tug produced enough power between them to drive the starter, turn the prop, and get the engine started. The cart disconnected, and the pilot let the airplane idle and assessed the situation. The ammeter was showing a very strong charge as the alternator fed the battery, but all seemed well otherwise, so he took off for home. At first, things seemed to be going well. Then, a distinct smell of something electrical burning entered the cockpit.
The pilot called air traffic control and asked to return to the airport, notifying them that he might also lose radio communications. Fortunately, he remained calm, ensured that the landing gear came down properly, and made a safe landing back at the departure airport. According to Chris Holder, Eastern U. That begins by measuring the open circuit voltage OCV of the battery. That process takes at least three hours and could be much longer depending on the amount of discharge.
