C172 Instructor and student reported white smoke from instrument panel resulted in an off field safe landing.
Synopsis
C172 Instructor and student reported white smoke from instrument panel resulted in an off field safe landing.
Narrative
On my second flight; I had been practicing ascents and descents and my CFI had me practice a few stalls. During the second stall; white smoke began to ribbon from the instrument panel and there was a noticeable burning smell. My CFI asked for the controls and started a spiral descent after he had located a road to land on. My CFI contacted ZZZ before we cut electrical. My CFI decided to stick with the landing after noticing that there was no fire extinguisher in the airplane; and decided it would be safer to land asap than return to ZZZ. The burning smell and the smoke dissipated by the time we got to the ground. After landing; we exited the plane and got to a safe distance before my CFI contacted agencies and ATC. My CFI and I had no injuries; scratches or bruises and emergency personnel showed up to the scene. An airplane mechanic checked out the plane and decided that it was okay to fly back to ZZZ . The plane made it safely back and will be more thoroughly checked out before further flight.
Second reporter narrative
On this training flight we were flying over the area after a couple of climbs and descents we decided to do some demonstration stalls. When we were in mid stall our second stall the smoke started to seep out from under the pilot side panel and it was white smoke which signaled electrical fire; we were able to get into a steep spiral to get on the ground and half way down we decided to [request priority handling] with ZZZ tower and let them know where we were at and then shortly after we turned the radios off but kept the transponder on and the intercom on. When we got closer to the ground; we found a straightish road to land on and we touched down and started slowing the plane down and came to a stop secured the aircraft and got out. No one was hurt no scratches or bruises plane wasn't on fire and was checked my Maintenance personnel and was flown back to ZZZ for a full inspection. During the decent smoke dissipated and was not a factor when we got on the ground. Did not want to risk flying back to ZZZ without a fire extinguisher on board so we committed to the off-field landing. Agencies as well as ATC and other personnel were contacted when on the ground and away from the aircraft.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.