A C172 student pilot reported that his aircraft lost electrical power while at cruise so he landed N...

Attributes
ACN	896410
Time
Date	201006
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
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	Cruise
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	AC Generator/Alternator
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Student
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 32.8 Flight Crew Total 60.9 Flight Crew Type 60.9
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Landing Without Clearance

Narrative:

While enroute on a solo cross-country I received a notification from approach that they lost my transponder. When I attempted to communicate back; my radios began to flicker on and off. After confirming the discharge on my ammeter; I realized that I was experiencing an electrical failure. At this point I decided to execute a precautionary landing at the closest airport that I was familiar with. I squawked 7600; began looking for light gun signals and checked for traffic in the area. I did not receive a light gun signal and decided to land. After successfully landing; I contacted my instructor who immediately flew up with another instructor and returned the aircraft back to base. I could have circled longer or tried additional ways to gain the towers attention to get a light gun signal.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C172 student pilot reported that his aircraft lost electrical power while at cruise so he landed NORDO at a nearby Class D airport without receiving light signal clearance.

Narrative: While enroute on a solo cross-country I received a notification from Approach that they lost my transponder. When I attempted to communicate back; my radios began to flicker on and off. After confirming the discharge on my ammeter; I realized that I was experiencing an electrical failure. At this point I decided to execute a precautionary landing at the closest airport that I was familiar with. I squawked 7600; began looking for light gun signals and checked for traffic in the area. I did not receive a light gun signal and decided to land. After successfully landing; I contacted my instructor who immediately flew up with another instructor and returned the aircraft back to base. I could have circled longer or tried additional ways to gain the Towers attention to get a light gun signal.

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.

A C172 student pilot reported that his aircraft lost electrical power while at cruise so he landed NORDO at a nearby class D airport without receiving light signal clearance.