Cheetah; Tiger; Traveler AA5 Series
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 7000; Flight Crew Type 450
Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Human Factors
On an IFR flight I began to experience intermittent radio outage which progressed to a point where I could not maintain contact with Approach Control. I obtained the ATIS at [destination] and knew the ceiling was reporting 600 FT overcast. My radios stopped completely and I was unable to contact Approach. Prior to this I set 7600 on my transponder. I then heard a transmission from the Coast Guard advising me that I was cleared for the ILS approach. This was the last transmission I heard.As I approached [destination]; I decided to begin a slow descent from 4;000 FT. I broke out at 650 FT and recognized the area. I proceeded to the airport on a heading of 360 with the aid of my portable GPS. The airport came in sight about 15 miles south of the field. I proceeded to the airport and landed without incident.I taxied to my hangar and on shutdown noted the alternator switch was in the OFF position. I charged the battery and the next morning the radios and systems worked perfectly well. I feel that human error was at work here. I started the engine on the battery switch; and failed to engage the alternator side. This resulted in a drained battery. I usually started the engine with both battery and alternator engaged; but that morning I started with the battery side only.
GA5 pilot on an IFR flight had a partial communication failure; but heard clearance for an ILS approach and landed successfully. Pilot discovered that the radio problem was due to failure to engage the alternator on startup.