Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 83; Flight Crew Total 296; Flight Crew Type 11
Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure; Aircraft; Human Factors
During cruise; a smoke smell was detected. We attempted to trace the smell and quickly found smoke to be coming out of the foot wells. We proceeded to descend to the nearest airport where we found oil spattered inside of the cowling. The local Mechanic traced the leak to the oil filter which was installed by a different Mechanic who we contracted for a pre-buy. The Mechanic in question had used a pair of pliers to torque the oil filter; punching a small hole in the exterior which started leaking in flight and dripping on the heater; creating the smoke. The local Mechanic fixed our issue with a new oil filter and we proceeded to our destination the following day.
GA pilot reported the oil filter was installed improperly and caused smoke in the aircraft.