PA-31T Cheyenne I
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120; Flight Crew Total 3400; Flight Crew Type 2500
Time Pressure; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Diverted
Aircraft
I was at cruise when my panel lights started flickering and I started to smell smoke. My first thought was the heater might have been acting up so I turned it off. I then noticed the smoke was intensifying. I opened the windows and figured out the smoke was coming from the circuit breaker panel on the co-pilot's side. There was a very intense glow that I could see behind the circuit breakers. I managed to pull one of the breakers from where it looked like the glow was centered. About this time I could see an airport off the front right side of the nose so I informed Center that I had smoke in the cockpit and was going to land there. I got her slowed up; dropped the gear and flaps and headed for the runway. While on the approach the glow and the smoke were still intensifying and the panel was melting. It appeared that there were flames behind the panel. I turned final and lost all my lights to my instruments. After I landed; I called Center to tell him I made it in; turned everything off and opened the door. After everything was off the glow dissipated and eventually went out.
A PA31-350 pilot diverted to a nearby airport when his instrument lighting began to fail; followed by intensifying heat and smoke emanating from the Circuit Breaker Panel.