Incident Overview
Shortly after the flightcrew selected the windshield heat system, smoke began to fill the airplane. The crew immediately deactivated the windshield heat, causing the smoke to subside. In response, the flightcrew declared an emergency and, following a successful landing, initiated an emergency evacuation of the airplane.
Postflight Examination
A postflight examination of the airplane revealed that electrical arcing was occurring on the copilot's windshield at the low power heating element's terminal block. The arcing was identified as the source of the smoke.
Chemical Incompatibility
Additional testing indicated that the chemicals used to bond the terminal block during the windshield's manufacture had recently been changed due to new EPA regulations. These new bonding chemicals were found to be incompatible with the braided wire incorporated in the windshield assembly.
Safety Actions
No further details on corrective actions or recommendations are available from the source.