PA32 instructor pilot experiences a power loss in IMC; rendering communication; navigation and headi...

Attributes
ACN	1205714
Time
Date	201409
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Electrical Power
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying Instructor
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Engineer Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120 Flight Crew Total 13000 Flight Crew Type 1000
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence

Narrative:

We were on an actual IFR training flight. During the ILS approach we lost communication; navigation and heading reference systems. We had no prior indications of power failure. We squawked 7600 and used my cell phone to communicate with tower. I informed them of our situation and intentions to use two battery backed up VFR GPS's to navigate a self vectoring final approach and descent. They coordinated with approach control. One was an ipad with approach plates with geo referencing. I self vectored to ILS final and descent points to landing; very successful. Light gun control was used for landing clearance. I would advise all IFR pilots to have a backup GPS that powers independent from aircraft power. Also; I think approach control phone numbers should be on all IFR approach plates and; at least; rcos (remote control outlets) for IFR clearances where available.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA32 instructor pilot experiences a power loss in IMC; rendering communication; navigation and heading reference systems inoperative. A cell phone is used to communicate with ATC and an iPad with approach plates and geo referencing is used to successfully complete an approach to landing.

Narrative: We were on an actual IFR training flight. During the ILS approach we lost communication; navigation and heading reference systems. We had no prior indications of power failure. We squawked 7600 and used my cell phone to communicate with tower. I informed them of our situation and intentions to use two battery backed up VFR GPS's to navigate a self vectoring final approach and descent. They coordinated with approach control. One was an iPad with approach plates with Geo referencing. I self vectored to ILS final and descent points to landing; very successful. Light gun control was used for landing clearance. I would advise all IFR pilots to have a backup GPS that powers independent from aircraft power. Also; I think approach control phone numbers should be on all IFR approach plates and; at least; RCOs (remote control outlets) for IFR clearances where available.

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.

PA32 instructor pilot experiences a power loss in IMC; rendering communication; navigation and heading reference systems inoperative. A cell phone is used to communicate with ATC and an ipad with approach plates and geo referencing is used to successfully complete an approach to landing.