PA28 pilot had aircraft generator fail in IMC conditions in ZNY class east.

Attributes
ACN	559161
Time
Date	200208
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : lhy.vortac
State Reference	PA
Altitude	msl single value : 7000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Weather Elements	Fog Rain
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zny.artcc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	PA-28 Cherokee Arrow IV
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Navigation In Use	other vortac
Flight Phase	descent : intermediate altitude
Route In Use	arrival : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : instrument pilot : multi engine pilot : cfi
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 180 flight time total : 520 flight time type : 14
ASRS Report	559161
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : critical inflight encounter : weather other anomaly other
Independent Detector	aircraft equipment other aircraft equipment : ammeter, alternator annunciator warning light. static in headset other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	controller : provided flight assist controller : issued new clearance flight crew : declared emergency flight crew : diverted to another airport flight crew : landed in emergency condition none taken : detected after the fact other
Consequence	other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Aircraft Weather
Primary Problem	Aircraft

Narrative:

I started a descent from 7000 ft when I noticed unusual electrical sounds on the headsets. I checked the alternator gauge, it showed a discharge. Soon after, the alternator annunciator panel light came on. I immediately tried to conserve power by reducing my electrical load turning off all unnecessary equipment. Then, I informed ATC of the situation, and they declared an emergency for me immediately. I was given vectors for the ILS at scranton, PA. On the GS, I broke out of the clouds and found the field. I made a safe landing, everything worked at well.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA28 PLT HAD ACFT GENERATOR FAIL IN IMC CONDITIONS IN ZNY CLASS E.

Narrative: I STARTED A DSCNT FROM 7000 FT WHEN I NOTICED UNUSUAL ELECTRICAL SOUNDS ON THE HEADSETS. I CHKED THE ALTERNATOR GAUGE, IT SHOWED A DISCHARGE. SOON AFTER, THE ALTERNATOR ANNUNCIATOR PANEL LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO CONSERVE PWR BY REDUCING MY ELECTRICAL LOAD TURNING OFF ALL UNNECESSARY EQUIP. THEN, I INFORMED ATC OF THE SIT, AND THEY DECLARED AN EMER FOR ME IMMEDIATELY. I WAS GIVEN VECTORS FOR THE ILS AT SCRANTON, PA. ON THE GS, I BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS AND FOUND THE FIELD. I MADE A SAFE LNDG, EVERYTHING WORKED AT WELL.

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.