Incident Summary
A pilot reported that shortly after departure, the cockpit filled with smoke, prompting a return to the airport. During the landing approach, visibility was compromised by the smoke and ground fog. The aircraft touched down but veered left off the runway during the landing roll. It struck a cow fence, came to rest against a tree, and a post-crash fire ensued. The fire originated in the left wing area where a fence post had punctured the wing, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that smoke appeared in the cockpit soon after takeoff. While maneuvering back for landing, visibility was reduced both by the smoke and by ground fog present at the airport. On landing, the aircraft exited the left side of the runway, traversed the fence, and hit a tree. The pilot, the sole occupant, escaped with minor injuries.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the smoke in the cockpit originated from an unspecified system failure or malfunction, but the exact cause could not be identified. The event sequence was categorized as: an airframe/component/system failure/malfunction occurring during climb to cruise, a subsequent forced landing during descent, and a collision with objects during the landing roll. Contributing factors included the fog and night conditions, which, combined with the smoke, made visual lookout impossible. The aircraft struck a fence and trees.
Outcome
The aircraft was destroyed by the post-crash fire. The pilot sustained only minor injuries and was able to evacuate without assistance.