What happens when both generators fail?

• A. The bus-tie closes and you shed the Number 2 Avionics Bus and the Main Bus.
• B. The remaining generator automatically powers all buses with no shedding.
• C. The battery takes over all critical buses and the engines restart.
• D. The airplane's electrical system isolates all avionics to conserve power.

Answer: (A)

When both generators fail, conserving power for the most critical systems becomes the priority. Closing the bus-tie connects the available power sources so the remaining distribution can supply essential equipment, while shedding nonessential loads reduces demand on the limited power.

Shedding the Number 2 Avionics Bus and the Main Bus removes large, nonessential electrical loads from the system. This keeps the power available for the essential avionics and cockpit instruments that must stay online for safe flight, even with no generator power. The action aligns with the need to prioritize critical systems and avoid rapid battery depletion.

Other options would either keep too much load on a dead electrical system or rely on power that isn’t available (such as restarting engines from the battery alone or isolating all avionics). The described shedding and bus-tie closure is the proper method to preserve essential functionality during a dual-generator failure.