Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 24; Flight Crew Total 618; Flight Crew Type 24
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Excursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft; Human Factors
I departed on an IFR flight. At approximately 300 - 400 feet AGL; the tower called and advised that they were not picking up my transponder. After several unsuccessful attempts at recycling the transponder; I tried to pull and reset the transponder breaker. At this point the entire electrical system failed and I lost all radio communication. I was approximately 12 miles west of the departure airport and turned around and headed back to the airport. I observed the green light gun signal from the tower and proceeded to a left downwind for runway 28L. Upon turning base; I attempted to lower the flaps with no success; as they are electrically operated. On short final; I realized I would not be able to stop the airplane and executed a go-around. I again picked up a left downwind for runway 28L and extended the downwind to give myself more time to slow the airplane and use a more shallow descent. Upon touching down; I exerted maximum braking pressure to try and bring the airplane to a stop before reaching the runway end. The wheels locked and the plane began to skid so I released pressure to get the wheels rolling again and not lose directional control. The wheels kept locking up intermittently and as I approached the runway end; it was apparent that I would not be able to stop before reaching the end. I swerved to the right to try and avoid the runway end lights but hit one of them with the right main landing gear strut. The airplane came to a stop in the grass approximately 30 yards past the runway end. Minor damage to the right landing gear strut aluminum cover but no damage to the strut itself.
A general aviation pilot reported a transponder problem that led into a complete electrical failure that resulted in a no flap; no radio return to the departure airport.