Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Landing Without Clearance
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Aircraft
I was working the LC position and a Cessna 182 departed IFR. Everything was going normal and I switched him to Departure. After a short while Departure called me on the shout line and wanted to know if I had shipped the aircraft already because I have a couple other aircraft awaiting IFR departure. I told them Cessna 182 had been shipped. I'd say another 30 second to a minute went by and Departure wanted to know if we could try reaching out to the aircraft because he was still not talking to Departure. I tried on the LC position and I asked my GC/FD to check as well with no luck. Departure then called again and asked if I could see the aircraft out the window because they had no communication and had also lost all RADAR contact. I advised I was able to see the plane and that he had frozen on the STARS; but I was also going to lose him in the sun. A few moments had passed still working the traffic I had and advised aircraft to see if they were able to see Cessna 182. Still searching for the plane and back and fourth with Departure; there was suddenly a plane on the runway. The aircraft exits the runway and begins to taxi without talking to GC. GC advises me that it's the plane we have been looking for Cessna 182 and reaches out to the plane with no response. GC called airport operations to have the pilot call the Tower immediately. GC talked to the pilot and he advised ground that he experienced complete electric failure and mistook out airport beacon for a light gun landing signal. Recommendation increased staffing so CIC is not combined with LC.
I was training a developmental on GC/FD/CD. Local reported that Departure had not made contact with the Cessna 182 who had just departed. He acknowledged the switch but had not checked in with the Departure Controller. Local explained where he was and I began to scan for him. I located a Cessna far out who appeared to be the aircraft we were looking for. Within a few moments I lost sight of him in the sun. Approximately 2 minutes later; after continuing to search for the aircraft; my trainee believe he/she had spotted him turning off the runway. After using the binoculars; I confirmed that the was indeed the aircraft we were looking for. He taxied to the ramp without making any communication; so I radioed for airport operations to greet him when he exited the aircraft and had him call the Tower Cab. He explained he had a complete electrical failure and had mistaken the rotating beacon for light gun signals. The way the sun sets over Runway 3 Base/Final makes it extremely difficult to see the aircraft and we were thankful that he landed safely without incident. I would recommend that staffing is increased to allow for the CIC position to be staffed separately at all times.
Tower Controller providing OJT failed to observe an IFR aircraft return for landing after experiencing a complete electrical failure. The reporter listed sun restricted visibility as a causal factor.