<< >> NASA ASRS Report 889675, May 2010

C172 pilot experiences radio problems while in the pattern at an uncontrolled airport; and elects to return to home base 20 nm away. Enroute total electrical failure occurs. Alternator failure is diagnosed by local a&P.

Attributes
ACN	889675
Time
Date	201005
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	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	None
Component
Aircraft Component	AC Generator/Alternator
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 70 Flight Crew Total 240 Flight Crew Type 235
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

Narrative:

On approach; entry; and downwind in pattern at ZZZ lost radios then regained radios. Broke off the approach and flew northeast then east climbing right turn. En route to home airport approx 20 NM east. On 45 degree entry to downwind; experienced total loss of electrical power in aircraft. Reset main switches and breakers; regained then lost power again and landed. Contacted a&P at shop on field who had the aircraft brought to the shop. Initial determination is alternator failure and short circuit in ground field wiring. Aircraft is being repaired.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C172 pilot experiences radio problems while in the pattern at an uncontrolled airport; and elects to return to home base 20 nm away. Enroute total electrical failure occurs. Alternator failure is diagnosed by local A&P.

Narrative: On approach; entry; and downwind in pattern at ZZZ lost radios then regained radios. Broke off the approach and flew northeast then east climbing right turn. En route to home airport approx 20 NM east. On 45 degree entry to downwind; experienced total loss of electrical power in aircraft. Reset main switches and breakers; regained then lost power again and landed. Contacted A&P at shop on field who had the aircraft brought to the shop. Initial determination is alternator failure and short circuit in ground field wiring. Aircraft is being repaired.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.