On Feb 4th 2026, an Aurigny Air Services ATR 72-212A, registration G-OGFC, suffered a total electrical failure while descending toward Guernsey, forcing the two pilots on board to continue the approach with severely degraded systems before landing safely.
The aircraft was operating positioning flight GR-101P from London Gatwick to Guernsey with only two crew members on board. At the top of descent into Guernsey, a complete electrical failure occurred, affecting onboard systems. Despite the loss of primary electrical power, the crew continued the descent and completed a safe landing on runway 09.
The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) reported that the event has been classified as a serious incident and is under investigation. A total electrical failure represents a significant systems event, potentially impacting flight displays, communications, navigation aids, and other essential aircraft functions, depending on the extent and redundancy available.
Interestingly, ADS-B data indicated that the aircraft’s transponder continued transmitting position information until after landing, suggesting that some level of electrical or backup power remained available despite the broader systems failure.
The aircraft had been on the ground at London Gatwick from Jan 29th 2026 until the day of the occurrence. Following the incident, it remained in Guernsey for inspection and troubleshooting until Feb 12th 2026. On that date, the ATR conducted a test flight and subsequently returned to commercial service.
While the safe outcome underscores the resilience of modern turboprop systems and crew training, investigators will examine the root cause of the electrical failure, including power generation, distribution systems, and any maintenance actions preceding the flight.
