A C182 pilot experienced complete electrical failure at 8;000 ft on an IFR flight plan in VMC. Witho...

Attributes
ACN	957617
Time
Date	201107
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
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	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	AC Generator/Alternator
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40 Flight Crew Total 4800 Flight Crew Type 2800
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural FAR Deviation - Track / Heading All Types

Narrative:

While flying on an IFR flight; I encountered a complete electrical system failure while attempting to comply with a radar vector instructed by mke approach. After noticing that the ammeter was malfunctioning; I was unable to transmit on my radio and acknowledge the descent to 6;000 ft and fly 190 degrees. In the interest of safety; and being very concerned with the situation; I chose to shut the radios and all electrical system functions off. I returned VFR and a mechanic will address the problem. After landing without any further incidents; I was going to call mke [approach] and explain what happened. They left me a voice mail and I promptly called them to explain the situation and the actions which I took. Since it was a sudden failure; it's difficult to suggest what I would do different; but I certainly would land as soon a practical and notify ATC per the regulation.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C182 pilot experienced complete electrical failure at 8;000 FT on an IFR flight plan in VMC. Without communications he elected to return to his departure airport.

Narrative: While flying on an IFR flight; I encountered a complete electrical system failure while attempting to comply with a RADAR vector instructed by MKE Approach. After noticing that the ammeter was malfunctioning; I was unable to transmit on my radio and acknowledge the descent to 6;000 FT and fly 190 degrees. In the interest of safety; and being very concerned with the situation; I chose to shut the radios and all electrical system functions off. I returned VFR and a Mechanic will address the problem. After landing without any further incidents; I was going to call MKE [Approach] and explain what happened. They left me a voice mail and I promptly called them to explain the situation and the actions which I took. Since it was a sudden failure; it's difficult to suggest what I would do different; but I certainly would land as soon a practical and notify ATC per the regulation.

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 C182 pilot experienced complete electrical failure at 8;000 ft on an IFR flight plan in VMC. Without communications he elected to return to his departure airport.