Light twin captain experiences a complete electrical failure at 700 ft AGL after takeoff. After clim...

Narrative:

During an IOE flight at approximately 700 ft after departure at night we experienced a complete electrical failure (no lights; communication; or navigation). After reaching a safe altitude we assessed the situation. We decided to make a left downwind and remain in the traffic pattern. We planned; briefed and executed an emergency landing gear extension and a no flap landing. After landing and clearing the runway: ATC; the gate and the company were notified of the incident via cell phone. Shortly after; airport operations arrived and took passengers and baggage to the terminal. Then our aircraft was towed to the company hangar. I'm not sure what we can do to avoid this event from recurring; but if it does it would be helpful to have a handheld com/nav in each aircraft; especially if the conditions are IFR.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Light Twin Captain experiences a complete electrical failure at 700 FT AGL after takeoff. After climbing to a safe altitude; flight returns to the departure airport for a no flap landing after emergency extension of the landing gear.

Narrative: During an IOE flight at approximately 700 FT after departure at night we experienced a complete electrical failure (no lights; communication; or navigation). After reaching a safe altitude we assessed the situation. We decided to make a left downwind and remain in the traffic pattern. We planned; briefed and executed an emergency landing gear extension and a no flap landing. After landing and clearing the runway: ATC; the gate and the company were notified of the incident via cell phone. Shortly after; Airport Operations arrived and took passengers and baggage to the terminal. Then our aircraft was towed to the company hangar. I'm not sure what we can do to avoid this event from recurring; but if it does it would be helpful to have a handheld com/nav in each aircraft; especially if the conditions are IFR.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1055066
Time
Date	201212
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Cessna Twin Piston Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 135
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Component
Aircraft Component	Electrical Power
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

Light twin captain experiences a complete electrical failure at 700 ft AGL after takeoff. After climbing to a safe altitude; flight returns to the departure airport for a no flap landing after emergency extension of the landing gear.