PA-28R Cherokee Arrow All Series
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 1338; Flight Crew Type 710
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted
Human Factors; Aircraft
Flew from ZZZ to CXO under foggles with a safety pilot and conducted practice approaches and holding pattern under VFR with assistance of Houston Departure Control and CXO Tower: ILS 14; hold at CX; practice approach NDB 14; and was inbound on practice RNAV (GPS) 14 approach when we lost GPS and Com 1 radio when lowering the gear. Raised landing gear and conducted missed approach and received radar vectors to repeat the RNAV (GPS) 14 approach. Just outside of FAF FOBNA lost all electrical power; GPS; and both com radios. Changed squawk to 7600 for lost communication and conducted climbing turn to the west at 2;000 ft. transponder went dead along with all electrical devices connected in the aircraft. Retrieved handheld transceiver and; with some difficulty; adjusted to correct frequency and renewed contact with Houston Departure Control. Announced situation and returned to [departure airport]; in communication with Departure Control but inoperative transponder. Lacking power to lower landing gear; conducted manual gear extension. With no lights to show gear position; conducted level flight and climb maneuvers at known engine settings to confirm airspeed and climb rate consistent with gear extended. Requested and received approval from Houston Departure Control to change to CTAF when about 7 miles from ZZZ. Changed to CTAF; announced position and requested help from ground with inspection to confirm gear down during flyover. Flew standard traffic pattern from Runway 15. Inspected aircraft and found alternator belt displaced from pulleys.Closer observation of engine gauges could have shown the alternator offline before loss of GPS; radios; and standard gear extension. Continuing the approach to the missed approach point was considered but with other traffic (CXO was busy) and no communication on a clear VFR day it appeared safer to leave the congested airport area; renew contact with Houston Departure Control; and return to base.
PA28R pilot experienced total electrical failure during practice instrument approaches to CXO in VMC. He elected to divert to his home field. After manually extending the gear and using a handheld transceiver; he landed safely.