Service difficulty report · Light · Beech A100

Difficulty date
February 11, 2013
Submitted
September 14, 2015
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Beech A100
Aircraft time
14,135 hours
Engine
Pwa PT6A28
Propeller
Hartzl HCD4N3C
Part
Light
Condition
Malfunctioned
Location
Cockpit
Stage of operation
CL
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
B
Precautionary procedure
A

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

(CAN) ON A ROUTINE FLIGHT FROM THE CREW WAS IN THE CLIMBOUT WHEN THE CO-PILOT ADJUSTED THE COCKPIT LIGHTING FROM DIM TO BRIGHT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE CREW EXPERIENCED SMOKE AND FUMES IN THE COCKPIT, THE CREW ELECTED TO RETURN TO DEPARTURE AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. MAINTENANCE DISCOVERED A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, FINDING THAT THE CREW HAD IN FACT STEPPED ON THE CENTER CONSOLE ENTERING THE COCKPIT CRUSHING ALL THE WHEAT BULBS CAUSING THEM TO SHORT OUT AGAINST THE PLASTIC. THE BULBS WHERE REPLACED AND THE ACFT WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE PAST AS DURING WINTER MONTHS CREW TYPICALLY WEARS LARGE BOOTS MIXED WITH THEIR LARGE HEADS IT MAKES FOR A TIGHT ENTRANCE INTO THE COCKPIT.

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