DA-40 pilot reported an electrical failure at cruise while receiving flight following from ATC in VFR conditions. The electrical problem resulted in communication issues with ATC; but the pilot navigated to the airport and landed safely.
Synopsis
DA-40 pilot reported an electrical failure at cruise while receiving flight following from ATC in VFR conditions. The electrical problem resulted in communication issues with ATC; but the pilot navigated to the airport and landed safely.
Narrative
Inflight; I saw the volts going down during the cruise phase of flight. Volts kept coming down as I approached the SFRA. I increased RPM's to 2600 to encourage the positive charge toward the battery around this time. Volts kept coming down as I approached the SFRA. However; I had flight following and didn't have issues at the time. I turned on the Electrical BUS as a precautionary measure. As I approached ZZZ; I told ATC that he had visual of the airfield; I was told to switch frequencies to XXX.XX for ZZZ Tower. Once frequency was switched; the onboard radio began buzzing when contacting ZZZ tower. I noticed that the volts were around 10. I was unable to reach ZZZ during this time. I was able to hear ATC trying to contact me; but very scratchy due to the impending electrical failure. I was able to hear a Cessna that was in the area was reporting my position to ATC. I immediately tuned COM-2 to ZZZ Tower and switched over. After I switched; I squawked 7600 and assessed the situation. It was around this time when I drifted into the restricted area. Also around this time; Red Xs began popping up around the PFD. I advised ATC about a COMMs failure and electrical failure around this time as well. ZZZ Tower demanded my position and had me squawk 2 different codes (initial code and 1234). However; I was unable to because the Transponder failed around this time. PFD turned off and the G1000 transitioned to the MFD. During this time; ATC continued to request position information and I answered as rapidly as I could while maintaining flight. The G1000 was useless at this point; as no information was being provided. I resorted to the standby instruments. I received clearance for Runway XXL and landed without flaps due to the electrical failure. After back taxiing and tuning to ground as instructed; I was asked what happened and reported an electrical failure and loss of COM-1.I believe the cause of the problem was due to the electrical failure. I was focused on solving that issue while flying the plane. I tried to divide my attention between the outside visual reference (ZZZ) and the issue that was in front of me (the electrical problem). I did not have a map available as my iPad overheated and the MFD was switched to a PFD display. The condescending tone from ATC was not much help when I was troubleshooting the issue of a dead battery. In the future; I will insure the battery is in the green throughout the entirety of the flight. Instead of thinking that I will make it; I will divert to another airport before the electrical issue becomes exacerbated.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.