PA-28R Cherokee Arrow All Series
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180; Flight Crew Total 800; Flight Crew Type 70
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
I flew to ZZZ on an IFR flight plan to shoot the ILS 18R and go back to ZZZ1 the flight to ZZZ went as planned and the approach was good. I did a touch and go and during takeoff climb shortly after rotation I noticed a tremendous amount of smoke coming from the fuse panel. Not having adequate amount of runway left I turned right to join downwind while opening window and door to get the smoke out also calling Tower letting them know I needed to return to land Runway 18R. When asked what was wrong I said I have smoke in the cockpit. I'm pretty sure I said it was not an emergency but when I landed and taxi off the fire department was waiting on me. Impressively fast may I add. I noticed the alternator circuit breaker popped and the pitot head circuit breaker popped. After taxiing to [the FBO] I was greeted by fire department and police and had to fill out an incident report. Had mechanics at [the FBO] take a look at the plane and after a few hours of troubleshooting they found a loose wire on the pitot heat breaker which they fixed and said the alternator was fried; we ordered one and had it shipped next day to find out the alternator was fine and now the 60 amp fuse to the alternator 'melted' which is where the smoke come from. I drove back up to ZZZ [a few days later] with a replacement breaker and flew the plane home back to ZZZ1 with no problem.
Pilot reported smoke in cabin on take-off caused by failure of alternator; wiring and fuse.