A pilot lost communication with ZSE ARTCC during an approach to sle.

Attributes
ACN	445764
Time
Date	199908
Day	Wed
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : sle.airport
State Reference	OR
Altitude	msl single value : 4000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zse.artcc
Operator	general aviation : instructional
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, Low Wing, 2 Eng, Retractable Gear
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Navigation In Use	ils localizer & glide slope : 31
Flight Phase	descent : approach
Route In Use	approach : instrument precision
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	government : military
Function	instruction : instructor
Qualification	pilot : atp pilot : cfi pilot : multi engine
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 100 flight time total : 3200 flight time type : 150
ASRS Report	445764
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : radar
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : less severe
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : diverted to alternate
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Aircraft
Primary Problem	Aircraft

Narrative:

I was being vectored for the ILS approach runway 31 at salem. I lost all communications with ZSE and could not raise anyone on the radio. I then made a right turn to the NDB at salem and began to drop my altitude. I broke out about 2000 ft. I had squawked 7700 for 1 min then 7600. I maintained VFR below 2000 ft, and headed back to independence (my home base, which is 5 mins west of salem). I then called to let them know what had happened.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A PLT LOST COM WITH ZSE ARTCC DURING AN APCH TO SLE.

Narrative: I WAS BEING VECTORED FOR THE ILS APCH RWY 31 AT SALEM. I LOST ALL COMS WITH ZSE AND COULD NOT RAISE ANYONE ON THE RADIO. I THEN MADE A R TURN TO THE NDB AT SALEM AND BEGAN TO DROP MY ALT. I BROKE OUT ABOUT 2000 FT. I HAD SQUAWKED 7700 FOR 1 MIN THEN 7600. I MAINTAINED VFR BELOW 2000 FT, AND HEADED BACK TO INDEPENDENCE (MY HOME BASE, WHICH IS 5 MINS W OF SALEM). I THEN CALLED TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.