Small Transport
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Confusion; Workload
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Object; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Weather
Flight X was conducted as a normal revenue flight. Flight conditions for several weeks have remained the same with low inflight visibility due to smoke from all of the local forest fires. The event begins with being given a vector to intercept the Runway XX localizer. I was established at my best approximation between point ZZZZZ and ZZZZZ1. I had been given a descent from 5;900 feet to 5;300 feet. As soon as I was established a short time in the normal smoke that has been occurred daily in this area quickly turned into a bright orange red smoke and seemed like flames. Within a second I hit what I would call extreme turbulence. It picked up one wing and I am unsure exactly how far over I had turned but I was against the Captain's side wall. At the same time I was experiencing some sort debris hitting the aircraft. The time frame of all of this was within seconds. While encountering this my aircraft filled with black smoke and I was unable to see any instruments. The cabin became so hot it is hard to explain the heat. I felt like I had embers of fire on my shorts. The only thing I recall seeing at this point was an annunciation light flashing. I turned to what I believed to be the downwind side of the fire and luckily was able to remove myself from this severe situation. I had to open my cockpit window to get smoke out and reestablished myself on LOC and continued approach. Again it is extremely difficult to give exact time frame and statements I said to ATC. When I was turning away from what I was in I announced I was deviating. Then said not to allow aircraft through there and I thought I may have a fire or be on fire something to that extent. I did not formally [advise ATC] because I was so focused on trying to make sure I made it to the airport safely. I was handed off to Tower on short final I requested him to look and see if he saw anything abnormal from my aircraft. He did not and I taxied to parking. After the flight I contacted ATC and the Approach Controllers to explain what happened they in turn put a new TFR up that closed that approach down. It reinforces the fact that communication is absolutely key. I am fortunate that it was myself and not the [aircraft] that was 8 minutes behind me that ended up diverting because of the fire. After this contact I went through all of the [company] channels Dispatch; Ops; Maintenance Control; Local Maintenance; [and the] Chief Pilot. The aircraft was grounded and Maintenance sent to check aircraft the next morning. It was also mutually decided to go to an urgent care center which turned to an ER visit to ensure I had not taken too much smoke into my body.
Reporter reiterated the severity of all flight conditions. Reporter stated that the normal inflight visibility was about 1 to 1.5 miles due to fires in the region. Reporter stated that reporter had been given no advisories or warnings from ATC about the conditions of final approach. Stated that a new wild fire had begun about XA00L that day and that reporter had this incident of probably flying through the plume about XF00L the same day. Stated that reporter did not see the fire or plume due to the low inflight visibility; also because of the other fires in the area. Stated that reporter flew into the orange-red smoke after having seen it not more than 1 second prior; and reporter thought it was flames. Stated that the heat was almost unbearable; and that reporter thought embers were actually entering the cockpit. Stated that; almost instantaneously; the cockpit filled with smoke such that reporter could not see instruments. Stated that the aircraft was; for a short time; unable to be controlled; as it was in extreme turbulence as well.  Stated that the aircraft was flying through much debris from the fire. Stated that reporter maneuvered the aircraft to the left and exited the smoke; heat; and turbulence. Stated that reporter opened his window to clear the cockpit of smoke and that reporter was able to continue the approach and land. Stated that after landing the next aircraft departed and showed a plume from 14;000 to 15;000 feet tall. Stated that; upon landing; there were black embers inside the aircraft; black carbon streaks on his trousers; black streaks all over the aircraft; and white ash on the boots and any other rubber parts of the exterior aircraft. Stated that the aircraft was grounded pending inspections; and that reporter suffered smoke inhalation; for which treatment was received.Reporter stated that reporter had no warning; whatsoever; that the aircraft was about to fly into the plume; but that the aircraft weather radar was not on at the time. Reporter suggested possible better fire reporting to the aviation community and better communications between fire discovery and or networks and aviation personnel. Reporter also suggested that perhaps Center radar might display a large fire plume and provide better early warning.
Small transport aircraft Captain reported extreme conditions and loss of control on approach due to wild fire.