He Smelled “Electrical Fumes” And Noted Smoke In The Cockpit

Location: Johnstown, NY Accident Number: ERA21LA147
Date & Time: March 2, 2021, 07:47 Local Registration: N4629K
Aircraft: Cessna P210N Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted
Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On March 2, 2021, about 0747 eastern standard time, a Cessna P210N, N4629K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Johnstown, New York. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that about 30 minutes after climbing to 10,000 ft msl after his departure from Burlington International Airport, Burlington (BTV), Vermont, he started hearing “an unfamiliar buzzing or humming noise” that became increasingly louder. After attempting to troubleshoot the issue, he decided to divert to an airport along his route. Soon after, he smelled “electrical fumes” and noted smoke in the cockpit. He informed the air traffic controller that he had “smoke in the cockpit” and wanted to divert to an even closer airport, Fulton County Airport (NY0), Johnstown, New York. He opened his window, descended toward NY0, listened to the local weather, and performed a landing checklist upon entering the left downwind leg of the traffic pattern for runway 28. During the subsequent landing roll, the landing gear collapsed. The pilot attempted to maintain control; however, the airplane skidded on the runway and tipped to the left. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left elevator.

During a postaccident interview, the pilot reported that although he visually verified that the landing gear was down, he did not verify that the gear status light was green before landing. He stated that he and a mechanic examined the airplane and noted that the circuit breaker for the hydraulic pump had popped and a hose near the hydraulic pump was partially melted. They proceeded to remove the hydraulic pump.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov