What happened
On 31 October 2000, a PA28-140 aircraft, registration ZS-EXR, was conducting a solo training flight near Tempe Airport. The pilot, who was a student preparing for an initial private pilot license test, was operating within the FABL general flying area when smoke began to fill the cockpit accompanied by the smell of burning plastic.
In response to the smoke, the pilot opted to perform a precautionary landing in a plured field located directly in the aircraft's flight path. Upon touching down, the aircraft overturned. The impact resulted in significant damage to the nose section, the nose landing gear, the rudder, and the vertical stabilizer, along with minor damage to the right-hand wing tip. There were no injuries reported in the incident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's systems to determine the source of the smoke. The inspection confirmed that all flight and engine controls were fully functional prior to the accident. A specific issue was identified regarding the 5 Amp circuit breaker for the "Turn Co-ordinator." While the breaker could be reset, it tripped immediately upon the activation of the master switch. Despite this electrical malfunction, investigators found no evidence of overheating within the aircraft's electrical wiring during the on-site examination.
Findings
- An internal electrical short circuit within the Turn Co-ordinator's circuit breaker was the likely source of the smoke and burning odor.
- The pilot did not follow the correct emergency drill procedures after detecting the smoke in the cockpit.