Date: 202101
Location: ZZZ.TRACON, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Bonanza 33
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Cruise
Aircraft component: Reciprocating Engine Assembly
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: It has recently come to my attention that Maintenance performed prior to flight may not have been accurately or timely recorded in one or more of the aircraft's airframe; engine; and propeller logbooks. I have entered the date of the flight (Date 2) as the 'Date of Occurrence' at the top of this report; but I consider this report to be timely because I have only recently become aware that the confusing maintenance records it addresses could be problematic.On Date 1; I delivered my aircraft to an aircraft maintenance facility for an annual inspection; engine change; and related maintenance. During two months; I observed portions of the annual inspection and related maintenance work as that work was performed; and I observed portions of the work performed in changing the engine.After all work (including ground running of the newly-installed engine and ground testing of other aircraft systems) was completed; maintenance personnel advised me that the aircraft was ready to fly and should be flown to assure that its performance was satisfactory. Maintenance personnel asked me to fly the aircraft and I did so; remaining in the immediate vicinity of the airport. During that flight; an alternator bearing failed. I do not ascribe the bearing failure to any deficiency in the maintenance performed. Engine power was not affected and I conducted a normal landing upon observing the illumination of the aircraft's ALT OUT annunciator.The engine; propeller; and propeller governor were subsequently disassembled; inspected for contamination and repaired (or overhauled; in the case of the propeller governor); and re-installed in the aircraft. Following that work; the aircraft and its logbooks were returned to me by the maintenance facility. Those logbooks had remained in the continuous custody of the maintenance facility from the time I delivered them to the maintenance facility; until they were returned to me on or about Date 3.A maintenance-related event occurred with respect to the aircraft on Date 3. It was the subject of a report submitted by me. I have discussed that event with the owner of the maintenance facility. I have also reviewed the confusing logbook entries for the inspection and maintenance work described above. In the course of those discussions and that review; I have become aware of what appear to be errors; inconsistencies; or alterations in those entries; and I have brought them to the attention of the owner of the maintenance facility; for such corrective action as may be necessary or appropriate. Yesterday the owner of the maintenance facility agreed that corrective action may be necessary with respect to those entries; and I am therefore submitting this report today.




Synopsis: BE-33 pilot reported an alternator bearing failure resulted in an Air Turn Back and precautionary landing.