PA-28R Cherokee Arrow All Series
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 31; Flight Crew Total 171; Flight Crew Type 1
Confusion; Troubleshooting; Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors; Aircraft
My flight instructor and I were south east of the airport during a cool afternoon. We turned on the cabin heat and almost instantly we could smell exhaust. We turned off the cabin heat and cracked a window for a short while to clear out the smell; however we did leave the heat off for the remainder of the flight.We later decided to work on touch and goes. During the first two laps in the pattern; every time I pulled the throttle idle; we would smell exhaust. We left the window open and decided to call it a night. On the 3rd and final landing of the night; when I pulled the throttle to idle; the smell of exhaust was overwhelming and sickening. We taxied with the door; windows and any source of fresh air open all the way to parking. I wasn't feeling very well when I exited the aircraft so I walked over to the grass and dry heaved for about a minute. My instructor put the plane away; so I went to gather all my stuff. I was confused; felt nauseous as well as just simply felt weird. I ended up going to the hospital later that night to confirm what was making me feel weird. They drew my blood three hours after I got out of the plane and when they gave me my test results back; my blood had 2% carbon monoxide. Turns out there was a tiny exhaust leak (not even 1mm in diameter) in the heating shroud of the aircraft.
A Piper Arrow pilot reported experiencing strong exhaust fumes while flying with an instructor. The flight was safely terminated; however; post flight; the pilot exhibited symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.