This is an excerpt from a report made to the Aviation Safety Reporting System. The narrative is written by the pilot, rather than FAA or NTSB officials. To maintain anonymity, many details, such as aircraft model or airport, are often scrubbed from the reports.
I was on an IFR flight plan at 4,000 feet in contact with ZZZ center 120.65 when I had a complete electrical failure.
The acrid smell of an electrical fire was evident even though I didn’t see any flames.
Fearing a full-blown fire I immediately descended toward ZZZ airport, which I had in sight.
I was able to contact the tower on a handheld radio after I had entered their airspace. They cleared me to land on Runway XX, which I was able to do. I was instructed to taxi to the FBO.
Upon arrival at the FBO, I opened the cowling and found multiple melted wires on the engine side of the firewall, with burn damage to the outside lip of the cowling.
Primary Problem: Aircraft
ACN: 1838509
A complete electrical failure with “the acrid smell of smoke…” and “fearing a full blown fire…”
Pilot did a great job handling one of my worst nightmares, even in VMC.
Assuming he declared an Emergency using his handheld…but…as far as the “I was instructed to taxi to the FBO”; even if the smell had dissipated, I’d have probably taxied clear of the runway & shut down.