Light Sport Aircraft
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 75; Flight Crew Total 9500; Flight Crew Type 4000
Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action; General Evacuated
Aircraft
After completing a landing and taxiing back to the departure end I noticed smoke coming from under the panel.  The engine; master switch and auxiliary fuel pump were all turned off and I exited the airplane.  I opened the front deck hatch and observed the source of smoke was the battery.  I found some rags and dipped them in ditch water; then used them to smother the hot spot under the battery.An investigation determined that the battery strap had gotten loose allowing battery to dislodge.  The bottom of the battery came to rest on an aluminum support strap.  The strap abraded the battery case until it exposed the gel cell posts; resulting in the smoke.
A Searey LSA pilot detected cockpit smoke while taxiing. The aircraft was secured and evacuated. Reporter discovered an eroded battery case strap which allowed the battery to dislodge and come to rest on an aluminum support; eventually exposing cell posts and shorting. Reportedly; wet rags were used to quench the smoldering material.