Narrative:

While accomplishing a VFR climb through 4;400 ft. Msl and establishing VFR flight following and radar contact with ZZZ departure control; a faint electrical burning smell in the cockpit and a small amount of momentary smoke coming from lower left side (pilot side) instrument panel near the aircraft circuit breakers was observed. This event occurred after departing ZZZ1. The smell and the puff of smoke was noted approximately 18nm southwest of ZZZ2 while enroute to ZZZ3 airport. The cockpit did not fill with smoke nor were any flames ever observed. However; the aircraft instrumentation indicated a loss of electrical current from the aircraft's alternator. In an abundance of caution and to ascertain the source of the smoke; I immediately turned off the master switch and all electrical equipment and began a VFR decent for the closest airport; ZZZ4 some 12nm to the northwest. During this decent; there was no additional smoke noted. Furthermore; the amount of smoke was never such as to limit visibility or breathing and did not require a window or door to be opened. A normal landing gear extension was accomplished and a landing was made without incident. After landing; the undersigned contacted the FAA control tower in ZZZ to advise why communication was abruptly terminated. I also contacted a local a&P mechanic to investigate the cause of this issue. This investigation and the repairs to the electrical system required to return the aircraft to service are pending. However; preliminary information indicates the cause of the electrical issue was a failure of the alternator; resulting in a burned ground wire on the back of the alternator and the source of the smoke in the cockpit was related to the 60amp circuit breaker which was destroyed in the event. There were no injuries. This statement is true and correct.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Pilot reported alternator failure; resulting in a diversion and a precautionary landing.

Narrative: While accomplishing a VFR climb through 4;400 ft. msl and establishing VFR flight following and radar contact with ZZZ departure control; a faint electrical burning smell in the cockpit and a small amount of momentary smoke coming from lower left side (pilot side) instrument panel near the aircraft circuit breakers was observed. This event occurred after departing ZZZ1. The smell and the puff of smoke was noted approximately 18nm Southwest of ZZZ2 while enroute to ZZZ3 airport. The cockpit did not fill with smoke nor were any flames ever observed. However; the aircraft instrumentation indicated a loss of electrical current from the aircraft's alternator. In an abundance of caution and to ascertain the source of the smoke; I immediately turned off the master switch and all electrical equipment and began a VFR decent for the closest airport; ZZZ4 some 12nm to the Northwest. During this decent; there was no additional smoke noted. Furthermore; the amount of smoke was never such as to limit visibility or breathing and did not require a window or door to be opened. A normal landing gear extension was accomplished and a landing was made without incident. After landing; the undersigned contacted the FAA control tower in ZZZ to advise why communication was abruptly terminated. I also contacted a local A&P mechanic to investigate the cause of this issue. This investigation and the repairs to the electrical system required to return the aircraft to service are pending. However; preliminary information indicates the cause of the electrical issue was a failure of the alternator; resulting in a burned ground wire on the back of the alternator and the source of the smoke in the cockpit was related to the 60amp circuit breaker which was destroyed in the event. There were no injuries. This statement is true and correct.

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.