C182 Pilot reported alternator failure while in IMC resulted in pitot tube icing; electrical failure and diversion.
Synopsis
C182 Pilot reported alternator failure while in IMC resulted in pitot tube icing; electrical failure and diversion.
Narrative
I was climbing in clouds over the ZZZ1 from ZZZ2 and my indicated airspeed started dropping. The airspeed indicator showed me losing airspeed so I put the plane in a dive so I wouldn't stall in IMC. I was about 2000 ft. AGL over the mountains at the time. The airspeed continued to drop off. I lost about 1000 ft. before I realized my pitot tube must be iced up. I turned on the pitot heat. I leveled the plane using the artificial horizon with zero airspeed indicating. The airspeed came back but as I made it out of the clouds but I realized my alternator had dropped off line. I turned it on and there was no difference. I realized it was not producing any amperage. The battery was slowly draining. I turned off what avionics I could but still didn't have enough power to make it to ZZZ3. I notified ATC that I could only make it to ZZZ4 and that I was gradually losing electrical power and would lose comms soon. They eventually approved me through the ZZZ5 class C. I dropped my gear and flaps and then lost all power including comms. As I flew into ZZZ4 I looked for the green lights from the Tower but could not find the Tower in my two attempts. I decided to look out for other planes and did a no electrical power landing. Once I was on the ground I saw the flashing green lights and taxied to transient parking at the FBO. One of the mechanics there Name fixed the problem. It was a wire connected to the alternator had broken off because it was over tightened and broke off when the alternator was installed.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.