Date: 201809
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Night
Aircraft: PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Cruise
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: Electrical Power
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Instructor; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Detector: Automation Aircraft Other Automation; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: During flight to ZZZ from home airport; the aircraft GPS failed. Quickly followed by a complete failure in the Garmin 530. Approximately 3 minutes after this occurrence; the aircraft's PFD display showed a failure in all integrated equipment including attitude information; airspeed indicator; altimeter; heading indicator; and the integrated compass. Immediately following was a red and white flickering over the screen signaling what was presumed to be power failing to the display. During this time the pilot was attempting contact with Center; of which no contact could be confirmed. At this time the pilot entered 7600 into transponder to signal lost communication. The pilot attempted to contact TRACON by telephone; though spotty service made attempts difficult. The best attempt was during flight nearby ZZZ1; where the pilot was able to inform TRACON that communications were lost and confirm continuing flight to ZZZ with an expected landing on runway XX; communication by phone was lost or failed at this point. None of the aircraft's lighting was operational including all exterior and interior lights. Cell phones were used to produce lighting for round dial gauges during flight as sunlight was diminishing. An MFD tablet running on standby power assisted limited navigation support while the pilot used tablet for primary GPS position; speed; and altitude enroute to ZZZ. The tablets were cross referenced with round dial instruments to ensure accuracy; though tablets were used mostly for convenience sake; (lighting and information organization). In this process the pilot noticed the ammeter indicating '0' amps; leading to the assumption of either an alternator failure and/or battery failure as the main cause. Around this time the transponder squawk code disappeared; though the backlight stayed lit up. Transponder functionality was unsure at this point. As the aircraft approached ZZZ; a diversion left of course was made to remain VFR as a descent to the airfield was made. Upon reaching the airfield the pilot maneuvered for a right downwind for runway XX; executed a wonderful landing; and taxiing to the parking area beneath the control tower led by light gun signals. The aircraft has had a previous battery issue within the past several weeks; to best of pilot knowledge; where the battery was recharged but not replaced. Information was provided to pilot by aircraft owner morning after incident surrounding this report.




Synopsis: PA-32 pilot reported an electrical failure affecting multiple systems.