Service difficulty report · Heater · Pilats PC1245

Difficulty date
May 30, 2026
Submitted
June 2, 2026
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N316PM
Make and model
Pilats PC1245
Aircraft serial
241
Aircraft time
14,079 hours, 15,774 cycles
Part
Heater
Part number
969678150
Part serial
983049
Condition
Failed
Location
Cockpit
Stage of operation
HO
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
B
Precautionary procedure
G, H

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

What was found

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, CABIN FUMES WERE DETECTED, FOLLOWED BY VISIBLE SMOKE. THE FLIGHT CREW EXECUTED THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND CHECKLISTS, WHICH INCLUDED SHUTTING DOWN ALL NON-ESSENTIAL SYSTEMS. TURNING OFF THE FOOT HEATER IMMEDIATELY AFTER DETECTING THE FUMES PREVENTED THEM FROM WORSENING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE SMOKE SUBSIDED AND BEGAN TO DISSIPATE. THE REMAINING DESCENT, APPROACH, LANDING, AND TAXI WERE UNEVENTFUL. A POST-FLIGHT MAINTENANCE INSPECTION DETERMINED THAT THE FOOT HEATER WIRING AT THE CONNECTOR HAD OVERHEATED, MELTING THE PLASTIC CONNECTION COATING. AIRCRAFT CURRENTLY OOS AWT PARTS.