Narrative:

Passengers were loaded and we were waiting for our paperwork when the first officer and I smelled a light smoke smell. We started to discuss what the smell was and the smoke smell started to get stronger. The first officer saw a flash caution panel and after testing the lights we were fairly certain it was one of the inverters. Just then we heard a crack like a circuit breaker popping and sizzling sound and behind the captain's seat a lot of smoke started to pour out. The smoke was heavy enough that able to be viewed in the cockpit and the ramp people outside said they could see it. I immediately shut down the APU turned off the main; aux; and battery master switches. I also turned off all the inverter switches. I went back to the cabin and told our flight attendant we needed to evacuate because we had to much smoke. I looked out on the ramp and told the ramp supervisor we needed every one off the aircraft. She said we could not because a BE1900 with engines running was pushing back beside us. I told her I got smoke and possible fire I need them off and we sent the first officer down to help her and other ground personnel to lead the passengers over to the fence and once the BE1900 was pushed back lead them over to the terminal and up the steps. I asked the ramp supervisor call the fire department so they could check it out. The fire department arrived shortly after I explained the situation they wanted the battery disconnected. I called maintenance they sent maintenance down and no fire was found however the smell of the smoke was still in the cabin. Maintenance looked over the aircraft and then took it to the hangar.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: During preflight; a DHC-8-100 developed smoke; an electrical odor and a circuit breaker tripped; so the aircraft was evacuated while Airfield Rescue and Firefighters were summoned. Maintenance removed the aircraft from service.

Narrative: Passengers were loaded and we were waiting for our paperwork when the First Officer and I smelled a light smoke smell. We started to discuss what the smell was and the smoke smell started to get stronger. The First Officer saw a flash Caution panel and after testing the lights we were fairly certain it was one of the inverters. Just then we heard a crack like a circuit breaker popping and sizzling sound and behind the Captain's seat a lot of smoke started to pour out. The smoke was heavy enough that able to be viewed in the cockpit and the ramp people outside said they could see it. I immediately shut down the APU turned off the Main; Aux; and Battery Master switches. I also turned off all the inverter switches. I went back to the cabin and told our Flight Attendant we needed to evacuate because we had to much smoke. I looked out on the ramp and told the Ramp Supervisor we needed every one off the aircraft. She said we could not because a BE1900 with engines running was pushing back beside us. I told her I got smoke and possible fire I need them off and we sent the First Officer down to help her and other ground personnel to lead the passengers over to the fence and once the BE1900 was pushed back lead them over to the terminal and up the steps. I asked the Ramp Supervisor call the Fire Department so they could check it out. The Fire Department arrived shortly after I explained the situation they wanted the battery disconnected. I called Maintenance they sent Maintenance down and no fire was found however the smell of the smoke was still in the cabin. Maintenance looked over the aircraft and then took it to the hangar.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.