Incident Overview
While cruising at 6,500 feet mean sea level during a night cross-country flight, the cabin of the aircraft filled with smoke. The pilot declared an emergency, secured all electrical equipment, and subsequently landed the aircraft. Following the landing, the pilot required hospitalization due to smoke inhalation and an irregular heartbeat.
Investigation Findings
An investigation into the incident revealed that the landing gear motor had continued to run after the landing gear was retracted during takeoff. The motor continued to run because of a failed pressure switch. This malfunction allowed the motor to operate continuously, leading to the generation of smoke that entered the cabin.
The aircraft was not equipped with a fire detection system beyond the pilot's visual observation of smoke. The pilot's decision to secure all electrical equipment and land promptly was executed without further complications.