Service difficulty report · Autopilot Sys · Cessna 421B

Difficulty date
September 3, 2009
Submitted
September 19, 2009
Operation
Air carrier
Aircraft
N21WT
Make and model
Cessna 421B
Aircraft serial
421B0486
Aircraft time
4,215 hours, 4,711 cycles
Engine
Cont GTSIO520H
Engine time
839 hours, 918 cycles
Propeller
Mcauly 3AF34C92
Part
Autopilot Sys
Part number
0140
Condition
Shorted
Location
Instrument Panel
Part time
720 hours, 884 cycles
Stage of operation
AP
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
B
Precautionary procedure
L

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

What was found

ON APPROACH, A FEW WISPS OF SMOKE WAS SEEN IN THE COCKPIT EMANATING FROM THE PILOT'S SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AT THE SAME TIME, AN ELECTRICAL SMOLDERING ODOR WAS DETECTED. THE WISPS OF SMOKE CLEARED WITHIN 20 SECONDS AND NO FURTHER SMOKE WAS VISUALIZED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

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