In 2003, mechanical and maintenance were the major cause of 15% of all GA accidents, and 7.5% of fatal accidents

Typically, one mistake or failure—a precipitating event—leads to another in a cascading series of malfunctions and mistakes, culminatiing in an accident. This is called the accident chain.

By any calculation, the average pilot could fly many, many lifetimes without having an accident of any sort, let alone a much more rare fatal mishap.

In 2003, electrical/ignition failures accounted for 3% of all accidents, and 0% of fatal accidents.

2004 Nall Report

  
 

CIRRUS Monthly Proficiency Program
3 part series on IFR operations
August – Part 1: Electrical Systems



Equipment on the Essential Bus
  • Annunciators
  • Turn Coordinator
  • Attitude Indicator
  • HSI/PFD
  • Stall Warning
  • Autopilot
  • Garmin #1

It Makes CIRRUS Sense
CIRRUS selected essential items to keep the airplane flying safely in IMC conditions. By limiting the amount of equipment on the Essential Bus, we reduced the chances of having a single piece of equipment bring down the electrical system. The essential equipment includes autopilot to help relieve pilot workload in an emergency.


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