I had an issue I thought I'd run by the group. Today my CFI and I
had smoke in the cockpit.
Although not plastic in order, There is a "cup" shaped reinforcement where
the nose gear slides up into the engine mount. Oil can leak from the area of
the starter and collect there. Given the correct maneuver, the oil spills
onto the muffler and you have a momentary cloud of smoke.
I have had smoke in the cockpit from another source. The Coupe was newly
purchased and I was giving a friend a lift to pick up his plane after it was
annualed. There was a cigarette lighter socket mounted below the instrument
panel. The chap who wired it did NOT fuse it. My pal hit it with his leg and
shorted it out. The wire disappeared in a cloud of smoke. This happened at
night and I lost all electrics. Used my hand held to call the tower and come
back down. (I thoroughly inspected All wiring after that)
Cheers:
Paul
N1431A
KPLU
