Cessna 152
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Total 650; Flight Crew Type 3
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Time Pressure; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft
While flying with a student in the left downwind for Runway XX at ZZZ; Aircraft X experienced an electrical systems failure. The transponder was lost first; prompting ATC to ask for an ident. Upon realizing the transponder had turned off; we tried to troubleshoot and further investigation revealed the ammeter was discharging. After notifying ATC we had a power issue and needed to land as soon as possible; we were vectored to make way for a fleet of inbound Aircraft Y's. After more troubleshooting I notified ATC that we were still losing power and requested priority handling. We were cleared for landing on Runway XX just before the radio died. After making a safe landing we exited the runway on Taxiway XX and came to a stop. Emergency vehicles responded so I shut down the engine and was eventually towed back to the flight school.
C152 flight instructor reported an electrical malfunction and eventually lost all electrical power before safely landing.