FAA Ground School Practice Test

What happens if an electrical system failure occurs during flight?

1. All flight operations become normal

2. You will experience avionics equipment failure

3. The aircraft will lose altitude

4. The engine will automatically shut down

The correct answer is: You will experience avionics equipment failure

When an electrical system failure occurs during flight, avionics equipment will likely fail, which is what makes the selected answer accurate. Avionics systems, which include navigation, communication, and flight instruments, rely on a functional electrical system to operate correctly. If the electrical power supply is compromised, these essential systems may either lose power entirely or become erratic, leading to a potential loss of critical flight data and communication capabilities. The other choices do not accurately represent the consequences of an electrical failure. While it's possible that some flight operations might continue in a limited capacity, suggesting that all operations become normal is misleading. Similarly, a loss of altitude is not an automatic consequence of an electrical system failure; altitude loss would depend on the specific circumstances, including pilot actions and whether the aircraft's autopilot system is affected. Lastly, an engine automatically shutting down due to electrical failure is unlikely because modern aircraft engines are designed to operate with redundancy and do not shut down solely due to electrical issues unless there is another contributing factor, such as a fuel system failure.