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GA5 pilot on an IFR flight had a partial communication failure; but heard clearance for an ILS approach and landed successfully. Pilot discovered that the radio problem was due to failure to engage the alternator on startup.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1087539 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201305 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Cheetah Tiger Traveler AA5 Series |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Air/Ground Communication |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40 Flight Crew Total 7000 Flight Crew Type 450 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
On an IFR flight I began to experience intermittent radio outage which progressed to a point where I could not maintain contact with approach control. I obtained the ATIS at [destination] and knew the ceiling was reporting 600 ft overcast. My radios stopped completely and I was unable to contact approach. Prior to this I set 7600 on my transponder. I then heard a transmission from the coast guard advising me that I was cleared for the ILS approach. This was the last transmission I heard.as I approached [destination]; I decided to begin a slow descent from 4;000 ft. I broke out at 650 ft and recognized the area. I proceeded to the airport on a heading of 360 with the aid of my portable GPS. The airport came in sight about 15 miles south of the field. I proceeded to the airport and landed without incident.I taxied to my hangar and on shutdown noted the alternator switch was in the off position. I charged the battery and the next morning the radios and systems worked perfectly well. I feel that human error was at work here. I started the engine on the battery switch; and failed to engage the alternator side. This resulted in a drained battery. I usually started the engine with both battery and alternator engaged; but that morning I started with the battery side only.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: GA5 pilot on an IFR flight had a partial communication failure; but heard clearance for an ILS approach and landed successfully. Pilot discovered that the radio problem was due to failure to engage the alternator on startup.
Narrative: On an IFR flight I began to experience intermittent radio outage which progressed to a point where I could not maintain contact with Approach Control. I obtained the ATIS at [destination] and knew the ceiling was reporting 600 FT overcast. My radios stopped completely and I was unable to contact Approach. Prior to this I set 7600 on my transponder. I then heard a transmission from the Coast Guard advising me that I was cleared for the ILS approach. This was the last transmission I heard.As I approached [destination]; I decided to begin a slow descent from 4;000 FT. I broke out at 650 FT and recognized the area. I proceeded to the airport on a heading of 360 with the aid of my portable GPS. The airport came in sight about 15 miles south of the field. I proceeded to the airport and landed without incident.I taxied to my hangar and on shutdown noted the alternator switch was in the OFF position. I charged the battery and the next morning the radios and systems worked perfectly well. I feel that human error was at work here. I started the engine on the battery switch; and failed to engage the alternator side. This resulted in a drained battery. I usually started the engine with both battery and alternator engaged; but that morning I started with the battery side only.
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.