Cessna 210 Centurion / Turbo Centurion 210C; 210D
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 56; Flight Crew Total 5403; Flight Crew Type 3641
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
While accomplishing a VFR climb through 4;400 ft. msl and establishing VFR flight following and radar contact with ZZZ departure control; a faint electrical burning smell in the cockpit and a small amount of momentary smoke coming from lower left side (pilot side) instrument panel near the aircraft circuit breakers was observed. This event occurred after departing ZZZ1. The smell and the puff of smoke was noted approximately 18nm Southwest of ZZZ2 while enroute to ZZZ3 airport. The cockpit did not fill with smoke nor were any flames ever observed. However; the aircraft instrumentation indicated a loss of electrical current from the aircraft's alternator. In an abundance of caution and to ascertain the source of the smoke; I immediately turned off the master switch and all electrical equipment and began a VFR decent for the closest airport; ZZZ4 some 12nm to the Northwest. During this decent; there was no additional smoke noted. Furthermore; the amount of smoke was never such as to limit visibility or breathing and did not require a window or door to be opened. A normal landing gear extension was accomplished and a landing was made without incident. After landing; the undersigned contacted the FAA control tower in ZZZ to advise why communication was abruptly terminated. I also contacted a local A&P mechanic to investigate the cause of this issue. This investigation and the repairs to the electrical system required to return the aircraft to service are pending. However; preliminary information indicates the cause of the electrical issue was a failure of the alternator; resulting in a burned ground wire on the back of the alternator and the source of the smoke in the cockpit was related to the 60amp circuit breaker which was destroyed in the event. There were no injuries. This statement is true and correct.
Pilot reported alternator failure; resulting in a diversion and a precautionary landing.