Date: 201303
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Night
Aircraft: Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Operator: Government
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Training
Flight phase: Landing; Taxi
Airspace: Class C ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Electrical Power
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Troubleshooting
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: I was doing night stop and goes and I was doing my 9th takeoff on [Runway] XXR. Upon turning right crosswind; I heard a King Air say he would be ready for takeoff upon reaching the approach end of [Runway] XXR. Upon turning right downwind; I heard the Tower clear the King Air for takeoff. About 30 seconds later the lights on the Cessna R182 began to dim. In about 10 seconds everything was dark. While the lights were going out; I attempted to inform the Tower of what was happening; but he couldn't hear me. I located the gear pump handle; extended it; and began to rapidly pump the landing gear down. As I approached being abeam the runway numbers; the Tower called to say I was not in sight. I reduced power to begin the landing approach; but with no electrical power the flaps would not go down. On base; I realized I was a little lower than usual; with no flaps; so I increased power as I turned final; and looked to confirm that the King Air had departed. The King Air was holding short of XXR; so I began a go around. At the same time I was initiating the go around; the Tower called the King Air to tell him he had an airplane in trouble. The King Air said he saw me on final; so I continued the approach. After landing; I could not see the runway markings with no landing light; and moved to the left side to look for a taxiway to Taxiway C where there would be less traffic; and to be out of the way if the King Air began a takeoff. I think I saw some blue lights but no sign; and; apparently; passed Taxiway C2. After what seemed like a very long time; I saw the sign for Taxiway C3. I turned left on C3 and left on Taxiway C. I considered stopping at that point; but felt like I was still in an emergency situation. If I shutdown; I would have been blocking the taxiway with no lights to warn other aircraft; and would need a tow to be moved. As I did not think it was safe to be stopped on Taxiway C; I continued north; looking for a light signal from the Tower. I thought that my only safe option was to move the airplane to safe location that was clear of all movement areas. I stopped at Runway YY and waited for a light signal from the Tower; hoping they could see me. When I didn't receive a signal; I checked very carefully in both directions for traffic and proceeded across Runway YY to Taxiway B2. I turned right on Taxiway B; and after a short distance; left into the parking area.




Synopsis: An R182 lost electrical power in a night landing pattern; but continued his final approach and landing as he could hear but not respond to ATC so he knew a departing aircraft was holding short.