PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 34; Flight Crew Total 713; Flight Crew Type 438
Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted
Aircraft; Weather
I was flying IMC conditions which became VFR on top. During flight; alternator gave problems and lost all power to panel. Communications lost with Center. Used a backup hand held radio that I keep in my flight bag to contact Center and inform them of the issue. I was flying VFR on top with clouds ~ 5000 ft. MSL. Unable to land over ZZZ due to instrument failure. Continued on flight plan to ZZZ1. Contacted approach on the hand held radio for further instructions. I was able to vector by using iPhone with foreflight to continue current course. Approach helped me tremendously by vectoring me to the airport and stepping me down through IMC conditions. At ~ 1300 feet AGL I had a visual on ZZZ1 and was able to land without incident. Wonderful work by ATC at ZZZ1 approach.
A Piper Saratoga pilot reported the loss of AC power while flying in instrument conditions. With the aid of a hand held radio pilot was able to contact ATC and receive vectors to a suitable VFR airport.