Narrative:

I was on an active IFR flight plan in VMC conditions flying level at 5;000 feet. All check lists were completed in order with the FBO checklists. My electric attitude indicator failed and displayed a red x in its place. I began to find the checklist to troubleshoot the failure and when I looked up I found all the electronic instruments on the display were replaced by red x's. I went to report the electric failures to ZZZ center but when I pressed the microphone button the power to my radios began to fail along with my transponder. I relayed a message over the radios just in case center could still hear me. Over the next few moment's communications to and from the aircraft I was soloing for my commercial training were broken. My display completely went dark and that is when I told ATC that I [had] complete electrical failure and was going to turn back to ZZZ. I used my ipad to help in navigating back to the airport. Once I was turned back towards ZZZ; I used my cellphone to call the airport and inform them of the situation and my decision to return. Center had already contacted the airport and the dispatchers of FBO [and] cleared the area for my return to the airport. I was able to reach the airport and flew a visual approach with a straight in landing. Upon shut down I was met at the aircraft by primary flight instructor who had similar problems with the same aircraft just a week prior. The aircraft has been grounded by the dispatchers and will be heading to maintenance before it can be flown again.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA-28 pilot reported complete electrical failure during cruise resulting in a return to departure airport.

Narrative: I was on an active IFR flight plan in VMC conditions flying level at 5;000 feet. All check lists were completed in order with the FBO checklists. My electric attitude indicator failed and displayed a red x in its place. I began to find the checklist to troubleshoot the failure and when I looked up I found all the electronic instruments on the display were replaced by red x's. I went to report the electric failures to ZZZ Center but when I pressed the microphone button the power to my radios began to fail along with my transponder. I relayed a message over the radios just in case center could still hear me. Over the next few moment's communications to and from the aircraft I was soloing for my commercial training were broken. My display completely went dark and that is when I told ATC that I [had] complete electrical failure and was going to turn back to ZZZ. I used my iPad to help in navigating back to the airport. Once I was turned back towards ZZZ; I used my cellphone to call the airport and inform them of the situation and my decision to return. Center had already contacted the airport and the Dispatchers of FBO [and] cleared the area for my return to the airport. I was able to reach the airport and flew a visual approach with a straight in landing. Upon shut down I was met at the aircraft by primary flight instructor who had similar problems with the same aircraft just a week prior. The aircraft has been grounded by the Dispatchers and will be heading to maintenance before it can be flown again.

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.