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High-time C182 pilot experienced an alternator malfunction and near loss of control in flight while trying to program glass panel in moderate turbulence. Pilot declared an emergency and diverted with ATC assistance.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1150811 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201402 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | AC Generator/Alternator |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Flight Engineer Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30 Flight Crew Total 14000 Flight Crew Type 300 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Track / Heading All Types Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence |
Narrative:
Enroute; lost alternator charging. Reduced power loads; declared emergency. ATC offered weather info for ZZZ as 5;000 feet 230/15. I diverted and encountered moderate turbulence for bulk of flight. Programming the [multi-function display] and [GPS] in turbulence while hand flying led to strong disorientation; almost exceeded my ability and I had very large deviations in heading and altitude. I'd type in the point for direct and come back at 40 degrees of bank in a climb or dive. It was very hard to look away. Descended to smoother (still light to moderate turbulence) and picked up the field. I had coordinated way out with...center in the event of lost com. Stopped answering radio to save power; and made it in. The problem of navigation is critical with power failure in any plane; but it feels more extreme with a glass panel since you lose normal pitot static as well. ATC was most accommodating and got us right in. Ugly approach; good landing in 17/G29 winds; but we walked away. I will fly day VFR only until I can trust the alternator reliability after repairs.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: High-time C182 pilot experienced an alternator malfunction and near loss of control in flight while trying to program glass panel in moderate turbulence. Pilot declared an emergency and diverted with ATC assistance.
Narrative: Enroute; lost alternator charging. Reduced power loads; declared emergency. ATC offered weather info for ZZZ as 5;000 feet 230/15. I diverted and encountered moderate turbulence for bulk of flight. Programming the [Multi-Function Display] and [GPS] in turbulence while hand flying led to strong disorientation; almost exceeded my ability and I had very large deviations in heading and altitude. I'd type in the point for direct and come back at 40 degrees of bank in a climb or dive. It was very hard to look away. Descended to smoother (still light to moderate turbulence) and picked up the field. I had coordinated way out with...Center in the event of lost com. Stopped answering radio to save power; and made it in. The problem of navigation is critical with power failure in any plane; but it feels more extreme with a glass panel since you lose normal pitot static as well. ATC was most accommodating and got us right in. Ugly approach; good landing in 17/G29 winds; but we walked away. I will fly day VFR only until I can trust the alternator reliability after repairs.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.