What happened
On November 16, 2021, an ATR 42-300, registration OY-JRY, was performing a scheduled flight under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) from Karup (EKKA) to Copenhagen, Kastrup (EKCH). Approximately ten seconds after the aircraft departed from Karup, the flight crew detected an electrical odor within the cockpit. This was quickly followed by the appearance of smoke emanating from beneath the glare shield. While the smoke was noticeable, it did not reach an intense level and ceased entering the cockpit after roughly five seconds.
In response to the smoke, the crew donned oxygen masks and executed the necessary memory items from their checklists. The crew declared an emergency to Air Traffic Control and initiated a return to Karup. The remainder of the flight proceeded without further complications, and the aircraft landed safely. There were no injuries reported among the three crew members or the 35 passengers on board.
The investigation
Following the landing, the aircraft remained on a taxiway while Airport Fire and Rescue Services conducted an inspection of the cockpit using thermal imaging technology; this initial check yielded no significant findings. Subsequently, maintenance personnel from the operator conducted a troubleshooting inspection following the manufacturer's established procedures for smoke and burning smells. This technical examination identified a popped circuit breaker associated with the number 2 Very High Frequency (VHF) communication radio, along with burned electrical wiring connected to that specific radio unit.