PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Landing Without Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
Today was the first time I have experienced a complete alternator failure while flying. I am currently a flight instructor at a flight school at ZZZ and was giving a checkout flight to another CFI. We had flown over to ZZZ1 to do some landings due to how busy ZZZ airport was at the time. Before the flight began; we had completed the run up and did not notice any discrepancies with the alternator; or any issues indicating an alternator failure. The ALT for the Annunciation panel did not light up at any time; and the AMP meter showed a positive charge. We had completed several landings at ZZZ1 and had requested to return back to ZZZ with a SW departure upon completion of the last landing. I was pilot monitoring while the other CFI had performed the landings. Upon completion of the last landing on the climb out we had exchanged controls and I now had the controls. I wanted to demonstrate how he could improve on giving instruction to his soon new to come students. While we were climbing (currently at 700 feet); the Co pilot noticed the GPS had shut off. I had immediately asked him to go through the alternator failure checklist while requesting to ZZZ1 Tower to return due to electronic equipment issues. Tower had cleared us and immediately all electrical power on our aircraft has turned off. We did not even get to hear the complete instructions from tower. What we heard was 'Cherokee X; cleared for __' and then power turned off on our end. I had followed the checklist and attempted to restart the battery master switch / alternator while keeping all unnecessary electrical equipment off and for a few seconds the power turned on. I immediately squawked 7600 and tried to communicate with tower but nothing was transmitting. We then lost power again and that is when I decided to rejoin the downwind for runway XX. It occurred to me that we had an alternator failure most likely and did not notice; so the power of the battery was being drained. When we did notice; it was almost too late as now the battery had almost completely drained all available power and was no longer charging. We were fortunate to be near the airport at the time and able to let tower know moments after the occurrence. As we were on the downwind for runway XX we were eyes out; looking for traffic and noticed one plane making a 360 to clear way for us. We were looking at the Tower for the gun signals and we had safely and successfully landed on runway XX and taxied back to the FBO. When we had gotten out of the plane; a kind gentleman has asked what had happened and could see we were a bit nervous from the situation. I had explained we had a complete electrical power failure and he understood and was glad we landed safely. He then prompted me to speak with someone from tower. When I had called and spoke with the individual from tower; he has asked what happened. I had explained upon completion of our last landing we requested a departure south west. On our climb out at 700 feet we lost our GPS and I let tower know we had electrical problems and I wanted to come back to land. We heard we were cleared but then we lost all electrical power. The gentleman from tower had then explained he was happy everyone was safe; however he had cleared us to land at runway XY [opposite direction]. I was confused as we had been using runway XX the entire time and winds at the moment were [favoring XX]. I explained that we did not hear the full instructions due to our power shutting off; and when we had gone through the checklist to try and get our power back we were unsuccessful. He understood we most likely did not hear the runway XY clearance instructions due to the electric power turning off and had let us know we were in the dark so he had to move planes when he saw us attempting to land at runway XX. He let me know that he was glad everyone was safe; however he had to file the report and that someone may call me in regards to the incident. This was one of those momentswhere I am thankful we landed safely and no one was hurt. I feel I took the proper steps to try to remedy the situation. Unfortunately we did land at runway XX; so I hope that does not turn out to be an issue. Note to self; having a backup hand radio is extremely valuable and moving forward I will now carry one. I feel this situation could have been avoided thinking back if I had a portable hand held radio. I would have been able to communicate and relay any information that was not transmitted through. I want to thank everyone in tower that did what they did to keep us safe; and assist while we were with no comms. Thank you.
Flight Instructor reported alternator failure caused loss of communications; resulting in an air turnback and a landing on the incorrect runway.