CEN15LA369

During cruise flight, the airplane experienced a total electrical failure. The private pilot diverted to the closest airport and conducted a no-flap landing, during which the airspeed was too high. The airplane subsequently departed the runway, struck a ditch, and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The voltage regulator failed a postaccident functional test. The accident is consistent with the loss of electrical power due to a failed voltage regulator and the pilot's improper execution of a precautionary landing.

On August 18, 2015, about 1025 central daylight time, a Cessna 182P, single-engine airplane, N6KW, departed the runway surface during a precautionary landing at the Bolivar Municipal Airport (M17), Bolivar, Missouri. The private-rated pilot sustained minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was owned by a private individual and operated by the pilot as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Joplin Regional Airport (JLN), Joplin, Missouri, and was destined for Spirit of St Louis Airport (SUS), St. Louis, Missouri.During cruise flight, the airplane experienced a total electrical failure and the pilot elected to divert to M17 for a no-flap landing. The pilot reported that the airspeed was too fast on landing, and she landed long on the airport's 4,000 ft. long runway. The pilot added that with the excess speed she wasn't able to keep the airplane on the runway and the airplane went through the grass, and struck a ditch causing it to nose over where it came to rest inverted. An examination of the wreckage showed the lower forward fuselage crushed upward and the nose gear broken aft. The right wing was bent downward at the root, and the right wing strut was bent inward at mid span. The top 12 inches of the vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent to the left about 70 degrees. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The airplane's voltage regulator and alternator were retained for further examination. The alternator was examined at Aerotech of Louisville, Incorporated, Louisville, Kentucky, on January 19, 2016. The alternator passed all functional testing and a disassembly inspection of its components showed no anomalies. The voltage regulator was examined at Lamar Technologies, Marysville, Washington, on January 27, 2016. The voltage regulator, part number VR600 and manufactured in June 1996, failed the functional test. The pilot reported she had 185 total flight hours, and 90 hours in the airplane make and model. No other anomalies were found with the airplane.