Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 190; Flight Crew Type 75
Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted
Human Factors
I had just picked up the aircraft at dusk from having an annual from a nearby airport. I had not flown this particular aircraft at night previously. Once I took off it became dark enroute 5 minutes approximately into the flight. I attempted to turn on the cockpit lights; they would not work; and none of the radios would function either. In summary; I just took off in an unfamiliar aircraft and inadvertently experienced a partial electrical system failure. At that point I could not see my aeronautical charts; compass; or radios and did not have a GPS in that aircraft. I flew towards the city lights of ZZZ and landed with no radio communications at ZZZ airport. I was instructed to communicate with the Tower; which I did immediately upon landing without incident despite there being air traffic using the airport. I sincerely hope others may benefit from my experience.
A C152 pilot reported a partial electrical failure in night conditions and landed at a nearby towered airport without contacting the Tower.