 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
A low time C-172 pilot suffered a total electrical failure at night; thus losing all lighting and radio communication capability. The pilot opted to land at a nearby; moderate sized; controlled/lighted airport.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1189392 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201407 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Electrical Power |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5.2 Flight Crew Total 73.4 Flight Crew Type 55.9 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Airspace Violation All Types Deviation - Procedural Landing Without Clearance |
Narrative:
In my way to home at night and 15 NM east from [a large controlled airport] and at 5;500 ft I lost all my radios equipments due to a lost of electrical power; (an issue with the alternator failure to charge the battery later addressed and corrected); which result in loosing GPS;transponder; and all outside lights as well.so I deviated to [the large controlled] airport; required me to land with no lights and no radio communication; due to the issue above mentioned; after circled the airport; followed traffic and looked for light signal from tower. And since I had no radio I figured I wouldn't be able to turn runway lights at any uncontrolled airport; this was my best choice.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A low time C-172 pilot suffered a total electrical failure at night; thus losing all lighting and radio communication capability. The pilot opted to land at a nearby; moderate sized; controlled/lighted airport.
Narrative: In my way to home at night and 15 NM East from [a large controlled airport] and at 5;500 FT I lost all my radios equipments due to a lost of electrical power; (an issue with the alternator failure to charge the battery later addressed and corrected); which result in loosing GPS;Transponder; and all outside lights as well.So I deviated to [the large controlled] airport; required me to land with no lights and no radio communication; due to the issue above mentioned; after circled the airport; followed traffic and looked for light signal from Tower. And since I had no radio I figured I wouldn't be able to turn runway lights at any uncontrolled airport; this was my best choice.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.