Cessna 180 Skywagon
Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 21000; Flight Crew Type 70
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Aircraft
Cessna 180 had recently undergone a major engine overhaul and annual inspection. I reviewed all the logbooks and verified all was in order prior to the first flight. An engine run and leak check was conducted and all systems including electrical appeared normal. The aircraft does not have a voltage gauge; only an amp meter. I conducted a 1 hour flight over the airport and all systems appeared normal. Several days later one of the another pilot flew a local flight to put time on the new engine and all was normal. About a week later the same pilot left on a cross county pleasure flight and enroute lost all electrical power. He returned to our home field and the Mechanic who performed the engine overhaul; installation and the annual discovered the generator connections had been incorrectly attached. The Mechanic fixed the problem and made the required log entries. I believe the reason the aircraft didn't exhibit any electrical issues until the third flight was due to a fully charged battery. The insidious nature of the failure and a fully charged storage battery made it impossible to identify the wiring issue prior to battery drain and electrical system shutdown. I highly recommend older aircraft install a voltmeter or generator warning light in addition to a load meter or amp meter.
Pilot reported another pilot had a loss of electrical power on a C182 during flight after engine replacement due to alternator connection not installed correctly.