Incident Overview
A pilot on a VFR cross-country flight experienced smoke filling the cockpit from the engine compartment while cruising at 9,500 feet msl. The pilot, who was monitoring local approach control, declared an emergency and initiated a descent.
Landing and Collision
Due to limited forward visibility, the pilot could not locate an airport in the immediate vicinity. He subsequently landed in a residential area under development, where the aircraft collided with two parked cars.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination of the engine compartment revealed that the exhaust heater core aft end plate had failed and was open. The end plate was found in the engine compartment. The failure caused the right side exhaust to exit directly at the firewall, partially separated by the airplane battery and cabin air-mixing valve.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as stated in the investigation, is the failure of the exhaust heater core aft end plate.