Tampico TB-9
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 19; Flight Crew Total 336; Flight Crew Type 201
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors; Aircraft
Immediately after departing PHL noticed that the alternator was not working. With climb established verified that the alternator Circuit Breaker (CB) had popped; likely because it was heat soaked from being parked in the sun all day. On resetting; the CB popped within 15 seconds. Turned off all non-essential equipment and directed cooling air to CB. [I] continued trying the breaker every few minutes with longer and longer durations until it finally reset. [I] was in communications with Departure when I was approaching the ABE Class C. I expected a hand off by this time and contacted Departure with no answer. Switched to ABE and they indicated that ATC had been trying to reach me. Apparently; my comm transmit/receive power levels dropped enough on battery with the intermittent alternator that I didn't receive radio calls. I suffered from a bit of get-home-itis; but I honestly believed I understood the problem and that it would resolve. And while it did; I under-estimated how long it would take to resolve. I did not consider that I would lose comm with ATC; perhaps while in Class B airspace. I should have at least advised ATC of the situation so they had the same information I did.
TB9 pilot experiences alternator failure due to a tripped circuit breaker. It was thought that the circuit breaker was over heated due to the aircraft sitting in the sun and would remain set after cooling; which after intermittent periods of lost comm; it did.