RV-8
Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 2300; Flight Crew Type 1200
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Diverted; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
In cruise at 9;500 FT I had electrical smoke in the cockpit. I shut off the electrical master and made an immediate turn to nearest visually acquired airport. With backup handheld radio; I called in the blind on 121.5 three times and informed of smoke and landing. I was unable to receive; no light gun seen from Tower; no traffic noticed; uneventful landing; made two way contact on 121.5 when clear of the runway and communicated on ground to parking. The Tower did hear the 121.5 transmissions; but unsure of content; and saw me overfly before landing. No emergency services on the field were notified. Keeping a backup GPS turned on and a headset adapter plugged into the handheld radio would have made navigation and two way communication more likely. Flight following may have allowed one call or at least someone watching. There was little time except to fly to the nearest unidentified airport and communicate as [soon] as possible.
The pilot of an RV8 observed electrical smoke in the cockpit. He secured the electrical master switch and turned towards the closest airport. He transmitted his situation and intentions from his handheld radio on 121.5; but was unable to receive a response. He landed successfully and established communication clear of the runway.