Landing Short After Alternator Failure and Power Loss in Beech A36 (N6724T)

Flight and System Failure

The pilot of a Beech A36 was flying above an overcast cloud layer when he observed that the readings on the engine gauges were declining. He concluded that the alternator had malfunctioned. His subsequent attempt to engage the standby generator was unsuccessful.

Navigation and Approach

After the electrical system failure, the pilot navigated by dead reckoning to Rawlins, Wyoming. He initiated a let-down through the clouds to approach the airport. During the descent, he believed that the engine was not producing sufficient power.

Landing

The pilot continued the approach but landed short of the runway. The landing occurred after he determined that the engine was not delivering adequate power for a normal touchdown on the runway surface.