Approach control assisted the pilot of an IFR C182 to a successful landing when the alternator faile...

Narrative:

I was just south of the airport and noticed engine temperature decline; oil pressure falling; etc. I checked my settings for my prop and fuel. When I tried to contact departure the call was not successful. I determined that it was an electrical failure and changed my transponder to 7700. I checked to make sure I could climb; turn left; turn right; and descend while I was also looking for openings in the cloud cover below. I was just approaching the mountain ranges and and the sky condition was overcast to broken. At that time approach came on the radio and announced that if I could hear them that the airport was behind me at due north and to turn left or right. I tried to respond; but was not successful; but I did immediately turn right to 360 degrees. They also informed me of a telephone number to call if I could get service. I tried to turn my cell phone on; but was unable to get service. I was also informed that I was cleared to land xxr (that's what I understood). At that time I lost all communication. As I descended to around 4;000 ft; I received another communication; this time I was told to head 270 degrees and was cleared to xxl and that xxr was closed. I was able to respond and informed them that my electronics were not working properly. At that time I lost all communications again; but I was able to locate the airport and land without incident. After landing it was determined that the alternator had failed.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Approach Control assisted the pilot of an IFR C182 to a successful landing when the alternator failed compromising the pilot's ability to communicate.

Narrative: I was just south of the airport and noticed engine temperature decline; oil pressure falling; etc. I checked my settings for my prop and fuel. When I tried to contact Departure the call was not successful. I determined that it was an electrical failure and changed my transponder to 7700. I checked to make sure I could climb; turn left; turn right; and descend while I was also looking for openings in the cloud cover below. I was just approaching the mountain ranges and and the sky condition was overcast to broken. At that time Approach came on the radio and announced that if I could hear them that the airport was behind me at due north and to turn left or right. I tried to respond; but was not successful; but I did immediately turn right to 360 degrees. They also informed me of a telephone number to call if I could get service. I tried to turn my cell phone on; but was unable to get service. I was also informed that I was cleared to land XXR (that's what I understood). At that time I lost all communication. As I descended to around 4;000 FT; I received another communication; this time I was told to head 270 degrees and was cleared to XXL and that XXR was closed. I was able to respond and informed them that my electronics were not working properly. At that time I lost all communications again; but I was able to locate the airport and land without incident. After landing it was determined that the alternator had failed.

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.

Attributes
ACN	913142
Time
Date	201010
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	Mixed
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	AC Generator/Alternator
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 18.4 Flight Crew Total 581 Flight Crew Type 525
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

Approach control assisted the pilot of an IFR C182 to a successful landing when the alternator failed compromising the pilot's ability to communicate.