Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Landing Without Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Human Factors; Aircraft
While flying a filed IFR flight plan I experienced total electrical failure i.e. no instruments/no radios. Using my cell phone I got a hold of Flight Service and asked to relay to Approach that I was climbing to VFR conditions and reversing course. It was relayed to Approach. I had checked the fuses and found none popped and continued north at about 7;500 feet. I saw an opportunity to descend to clear skies and did so. When VFR and around 2;000 feet I was able to contact a family member and asked that person to notify Tower of my proposed landing; which was done. Tower gave me a green light as I prepped for landing but when close to touchdown they saw my gear was up. They switched to a red light that I didn't see but my emergency gear extension worked so my gear dropped just in time. Tower called me and told me of the late deployment of my landing gear and said to call the Supervisor at Approach which I did immediately. Supervisor told me they did get the call from Flight Service; saw the climb; turn; and descent; but that I should have landed at closest airport. I said I was in the clouds or above heavy broken I couldn't see the ground and thought it prudent to return to a familiar airport. The Supervisor told me that during my descent I was in Class B and since they couldn't read my altitude I could have caused approach problems for the 'Big Guys' but that they were glad I got down safely. I am still awaiting the avionics shop to diagnose the problem. It seems it might have been the detent on the master switch on a relay malfunction.
GA pilot on an IFR flight plan reported experiencing complete electrical failure and descended to VFR conditions into Class B airspace to return to the departure airport.