A BE36 pilot returned to his departure airport after the alternator failed. During the return he los...

Attributes
ACN	978338
Time
Date	201111
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Bonanza 36
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	AC Generator/Alternator
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 13 Flight Crew Total 2622 Flight Crew Type 1565
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude

Narrative:

I experienced an alternator failure shortly after departing on an IFR flight plan. I was flying in IMC and requested a course reversal for a return to my departure airport. I made the mistake of trying to shed electrical load by turning off lights; radios; autopilot; extend gear; etc.; while hand flying the 180 degree turn. As a result; I deviated several hundred feet below my assigned altitude of 4;000 ft. I should have given my entire concentration to making the turn and then dealt with throwing switches after I was established straight and level and on course; at altitude.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A BE36 pilot returned to his departure airport after the alternator failed. During the return he lost 400 FT as he attempted to load shed electrical equipment and turn 180 degrees.

Narrative: I experienced an alternator failure shortly after departing on an IFR flight plan. I was flying in IMC and requested a course reversal for a return to my departure airport. I made the mistake of trying to shed electrical load by turning off lights; radios; autopilot; extend gear; etc.; while hand flying the 180 degree turn. As a result; I deviated several hundred feet below my assigned altitude of 4;000 FT. I should have given my entire concentration to making the turn and then dealt with throwing switches after I was established straight and level and on course; at altitude.

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 BE36 pilot returned to his departure airport after the alternator failed. During the return he lost 400 ft as he attempted to load shed electrical equipment and turn 180 degrees.