A TB21's electrical system arc'ed to ground tripping the aircraft's master circuit. After taking pru...

Attributes
ACN	851934
Time
Date	200909
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Trinidad TB-21
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Electrical Distribution
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 16 Flight Crew Total 2528 Flight Crew Type 2404
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

Narrative:

In cruise flight at 11000 ft; heading direct to mid flight fix; with center in and out of IMC tops cu -- lost total electric -- lost communication; lost navigation; lost autopilot -- everything. Was in and headed towards hostile mountainous territory. Made 180 degree turn; started descent to VFR 8000 ft; headed towards a familiar alternate area; (by feel). Flying with reference to attitude indicator; airspeed; altimeter; compass. Arrived over my alternate. Reset master electric. Everything restored. Contacted ATC and asked for permission to circle; check things out. Everything seemed fine. Thought I might have hit the off switch on master electric by accident. Asked for 11000 ft direct. Flew to my destination without incident. This morning; had shop investigate. They discovered a 'big electrical arc' that momentarily disabled the electrical system. Their investigation is ongoing. Should have results soon.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A TB21's electrical system arc'ed to ground tripping the aircraft's Master Circuit. After taking prudent evasive action the pilot reset the electrical and proceeded to his destination.

Narrative: In cruise flight at 11000 FT; heading direct to mid flight fix; with Center in and out of IMC tops CU -- LOST TOTAL ELECTRIC -- lost communication; lost navigation; lost autopilot -- everything. Was in and headed towards hostile mountainous territory. Made 180 degree turn; started descent to VFR 8000 FT; headed towards a familiar alternate area; (by feel). Flying with reference to attitude indicator; airspeed; altimeter; compass. Arrived over my alternate. Reset Master Electric. Everything restored. Contacted ATC and asked for permission to circle; check things out. Everything seemed fine. Thought I might have hit the off switch on Master Electric by accident. Asked for 11000 FT direct. Flew to my destination without incident. This morning; had shop investigate. They discovered a 'big electrical arc' that momentarily disabled the electrical system. Their investigation is ongoing. Should have results soon.

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 TB21's electrical system arc'ed to ground tripping the aircraft's master circuit. After taking prudent evasive action the pilot reset the electrical and proceeded to his destination.