Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 1015; Flight Crew Type 700
Workload; Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Exited Penetrated Airspace; General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Aircraft; Airport
Immediately after entering Class B airspace southbound at 1;500 FT; lost communications. Turned north and exited Class B airspace and squawked VFR. Began a return trip to my destination and while doing so; trouble shot for lost communications. During this time; also lost all electrical - fuel quantity gauges; oil temperature gauge; radios; lights; flaps. [I] circled over my destination at 2;500 FT twice; no light gun from Tower. Continued circle at 2;000 FT; no signals. [I] continued at 1;500 FT; observed no traffic; no signals. After 20 minutes of circling without notice from the Tower; entered right pattern for the runway and performed a no flap landing. Called Tower after landing and was told they did not notice me until short final.
A C172 lost all electrical during night flight and after circling the destination airport from 2;500 FT down to 1;500 FT the pilot landed without ATC clearance.