Describe the quick decision Garrett made during an electrical failure while night flying.

• A. Asked for a comms check, they worked, and immediately asked for an amended full stop clearance due to electrical failure
• B. Declared an emergency and diverted to the nearest field
• C. Continued the approach without addressing the issue
• D. Landed immediately without clearance

Answer: (A)

When electrical failure occurs during night flight, the priority is to verify whether you can still communicate and then coordinate with ATC based on that status. A quick comms check is the fastest way to determine if the radios are working. If the check succeeds, you can calmly inform ATC of the fault and request an amended full-stop clearance that accounts for the limited electrical capabilities. This keeps you in the communication loop, follows air traffic control procedures, and yields a safe plan for landing that aligns with the current situation.

If you skip the comms check and try to proceed or land without proper clearance, you risk losing coordination, misinterpreting ATC instructions, or encountering hazards on approach or landing. And if the comms check fails, you’d need to escalate to declaring an emergency and diverting as appropriate. The chosen approach balances safety, communication, and proper clearance in a night-flying scenario with an electrical fault.