DHC8-300 captain detected the odor of hot electrical wiring during descent for landing. The flight a...

Narrative:

We were descending for landing when I smelled an odor in the airplane. I then noticed the captain's side ivsi was blank which I initially associated with the odor. I put my mask on then my first officer put his mask on. I [advised] approach. I briefed my flight attendant; then the flight attendant started to search for a source of the odor in the crew closet and lavatory area. I then began the aircraft fire or smoke checklist. I determined the odor was from an unknown source because at this time the ivsi was back to normal. I followed the checklist to 'electrical.' the checklist turns off the dc gens AC gens auxiliary batt main batt and emergency lights. I did turn off the dc gens then looked forward in the checklist and realized I was going to lose important equipment especially while IMC and already planning for an RNAV approach. I called my flight attendant who did not find an odor and reported everything was 'normal.' at this time I went back in the checklist to known source - flightdeck. There was not an active fire I followed the checklist to land as soon as practicable. We landed and parked then hustled the passengers off the airplane. Throughout the incident there was never the sight of smoke.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DHC8-300 Captain detected the odor of hot electrical wiring during descent for landing. The Flight Attendant was notified and advised there was no odor in the cabin and the checklist indicates to land as soon as practical; which was accomplished.

Narrative: We were descending for landing when I smelled an odor in the airplane. I then noticed the Captain's side IVSI was blank which I initially associated with the odor. I put my mask on then my First Officer put his mask on. I [advised] Approach. I briefed my Flight Attendant; then the Flight Attendant started to search for a source of the odor in the crew closet and lavatory area. I then began the AIRCRAFT FIRE or SMOKE checklist. I determined the odor was from an unknown source because at this time the IVSI was back to normal. I followed the checklist to 'Electrical.' The checklist turns off the DC Gens AC Gens AUX BATT MAIN BATT and EMER LIGHTS. I did turn off the DC Gens then looked forward in the checklist and realized I was going to lose important equipment especially while IMC and already planning for an RNAV approach. I called my Flight Attendant who did not find an odor and reported everything was 'normal.' At this time I went back in the checklist to KNOWN SOURCE - FLIGHTDECK. There was not an active fire I followed the checklist to LAND AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE. We landed and parked then hustled the passengers off the airplane. Throughout the incident there was never the sight of smoke.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1306098
Time
Date	201510
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Dash 8-300
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Electrical Wiring & Connectors
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

DHC8-300 captain detected the odor of hot electrical wiring during descent for landing. The flight attendant was notified and advised there was no odor in the cabin and the checklist indicates to land as soon as practical; which was accomplished.