PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 197; Flight Crew Total 883; Flight Crew Type 378
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
After getting cleared for takeoff; we departed and made a right turn to a heading given by ATC. I noticed an odd smell and started checking under the panel for signs of smoke or fire. Once given another turn by ATC; smoke started coming from the radio portion of the panel. It was coming into the cockpit from the edges of the Comm 2 radio. I shut off the electrical power to the airplane and used my hand-held radio to communicate on my way back to the runway. After landing; I had myself and passengers clear the aircraft as airport fire and rescue checked the aircraft.
PA-28 pilot reported returning to departure airport after experiencing smoke in the cockpit from the Comm 2 radio.