Dash 8-100
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft
Flight was cruising along at 11;000 feet as I was the pilot flying approximately 15 miles to the west of ZZZ. The flight was normal until I heard the sound of a circuit breaker pop from the captain's circuit breaker panel. Immediately after hearing the noise I looked over my shoulder and noticed a puff of white smoke rise from the panel and also noticed all of my instruments were flagged and inoperative. At this point I told the First Officer to advise ATC as I maneuvered the aircraft towards ZZZ. After the First Officer advised ATC I told him he was now the pilot flying as I took over the non flying pilot duties. We both prepared for a visual landing into ZZZ. He performed a normal lading and I taxied the aircraft to the gate. Saw smoke in the cockpit and took the appropriate actions to divert. Both the First Officer and I used our training and CRM skills to work together and land the aircraft safely with no injuries. Replace old inverters.
During cruise flight at 11;000 feet; primary inverter / Aux inverter CB popped. Electrical odor was present. Crew elected to advise ATC and divert to ZZZ.Caution / Warning lights. CBs popped; electrical odor. Malfunction of the primary / aux inverter
A DHC8-100 flight crew experienced the failure of the primary inverter detected initially by the sound of the circuit breaker tripping and a puff of white smoke; followed by warning lights. The crew elects to divert to the nearest suitable airport.