PA-23-250 Aztec
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 86; Flight Crew Total 1810; Flight Crew Type 618
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
This morning while airborne; passenger and I noted heater to be working quite a bit better than usual. Cabin was comfortably warm. The heater had been on for about 30 minutes; normal smells associated with combustion heater were present. At the 30-45 minute point both the passenger and I both went to clean eyeglasses at the same time. No abnormal smells were present; just a light smoke. We immediately turned heater to fan only position; opened a window to clear smoke; and returned to the field. Upon contacting Tower; we advised smoke in the cockpit and asked for priority landing. Tower gave instructions for straight in approach and asked if we were [requesting priority]. We replied in the afirmative. Upon landing smoke was minimal; and we continued to the ramp. We were met by the fire department. After looking with heat detection equipment it was determined the plane was not a threat. Maintenance on the field was contacted and we are pending mechanical inspection. No injuries; or related illness as of several hours later.
Pilot reported smoke in the cabin and elected to Air Turn Back and make a precautionary emergency landing.