Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 13; Flight Crew Total 77; Flight Crew Type 60
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
While on a local area flight; aircraft had an apparent alternator failure. COM 2 panel went blank; COM 1 panel still displayed but was unresponsive. Radio calls were not returned. Radio calls had successfully been made earlier in the flight; including position reports and interactions with other aircraft in the area. Upon diagnosing the electrical failure; I turned off all lights and radio panels but left the transponder on. I used my handheld radio to communicate with local area traffic the nature of my situation; and decided to proceed back to ZZZ to attempt a landing. Two-way radio communication was established with ZZZ Tower via my handheld radio. Permission to enter the airspace and land was obtained; at which time I successfully landed and exited the runway and ramp environment; per instructions from ZZZ ATC.
PA-28 pilot reported an alternator failure resulted in a return to the departure airport.