Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Total 27500
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft; Human Factors
We experienced smoke in the cockpit and a burning electrical smell. Shortly thereafter; we experienced multiple system failures and ECAM warning messages. One of which was to land ASAP. The First Officer and I donned O2 masks and started emergency procedures. I [notified] ATC and requested to divert to the nearest suitable airport. After following checklist guidance; ECAM procedures and applying some systems knowledge; the smoke subsided; but the odor remained.Communication with the flight attendants was established and the plan to divert was communicated to the flight attendants. I asked them to prepare the cabin for an immediate landing; which they did. A diversion message was sent to Dispatch advising them of our situation and landing plans. I asked them to advise ZZZ operations of our impending arrival; which they did. A normal landing at ZZZ was made; and after communicating with the fire department; we deplaned. We asked that the passengers deplane; but leave their baggage in the overhead bins; which was later retrieved for them. No injuries were reported; the First Officer and I were quick to don our O2 masks; and neither of us felt any ill effects from the smoke. Contract Maintenance quickly arrived at the airplane and found that the number 1 battery had overheated and was likely the reason we had smoke in the cockpit. One of the ECAM actions had me turning off the number 1 battery; and in hindsight; this action probably contributed to our success more than anything else. Suggestion: Replace NiCad batteries with Lead Acid batteries.
A321 Captain reported diverting due to smoke in cockpit and uneventful landing.