PA-32 pilot reported that after turning on the pitot heat; smoke was observed emanating from the ass...

Attributes
ACN	1545081
Time
Date	201805
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Pitot/Static Ice System
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50 Flight Crew Total 290 Flight Crew Type 20
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

Narrative:

The aircraft departed ZZZ at xa:30. At xb:00; while flying at 11;500 MSL; the aircraft anti-collision lights; position lights; navigational beacon; and landing light were already on. At that time; the pitot heat was turned on because the outside air temperature was noticed to be 37 degrees fahrenheit. At approximately xb:30; the instrument panel lights began to flicker and within 10 seconds of that event; smoke began emitting from the pitot heat circuit breaker. All light switches were immediately turned off and the window was opened. The smoke began to subside approximately 30 seconds after it had begun and completely cleared approximately 60 seconds after it had begun. The instrument panel lights remained not illuminated. [ATC was advised] and a course toward ZZZ was flown. Once established on course; the emergency checklist was read and the pitot heat switch was turned off. Airport emergency services were deployed at ZZZ. The aircraft maintained radio communication with ATC. The aircraft landed safely at ZZZ without further incident.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA-32 pilot reported that after turning on the pitot heat; smoke was observed emanating from the associated circuit breaker. A diversion to a suitable airport was accomplished.

Narrative: The aircraft departed ZZZ at XA:30. At XB:00; while flying at 11;500 MSL; the aircraft anti-collision lights; position lights; navigational beacon; and landing light were already on. At that time; the pitot heat was turned on because the outside air temperature was noticed to be 37 degrees Fahrenheit. At approximately XB:30; the instrument panel lights began to flicker and within 10 seconds of that event; smoke began emitting from the pitot heat circuit breaker. All light switches were immediately turned off and the window was opened. The smoke began to subside approximately 30 seconds after it had begun and completely cleared approximately 60 seconds after it had begun. The instrument panel lights remained not illuminated. [ATC was advised] and a course toward ZZZ was flown. Once established on course; the emergency checklist was read and the pitot heat switch was turned off. Airport emergency services were deployed at ZZZ. The aircraft maintained radio communication with ATC. The aircraft landed safely at ZZZ without further incident.

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.