A ercoupe 415-C pilot reported observing smoke coming from the engine compartment. He coordinated wi...

Attributes
ACN	985946
Time
Date	201112
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft Low Wing 1 Eng Fixed Gear
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	None
Component
Aircraft Component	Engine
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Sport / Recreational
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 16.1 Flight Crew Total 68.5
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

Narrative:

I smelled gas in the cockpit and thought I saw smoke in the cockpit. Looking back on it; I'm sure the smoke came from the engine compartment from under the cowling; and then over the front windshield of the aircraft. I was using flight following and told approach that I had smoke in the cabin and wanted to land. I made a precautionary landing. I took the plane to be inspected and repaired [to an FBO on the field]. They said the reason for the white smoke was due to an oil leak. They replaced some gaskets; repairing the oil leak. I did not report this to the FAA since there was no actual in-flight fire. Also; I was most concerned about getting on the ground safely. I didn't make the time to correct my statement to the controllers as I was making my precautionary landing. I was more concerned about being safely on the ground during this time.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Ercoupe 415-C pilot reported observing smoke coming from the engine compartment. He coordinated with ATC for a divert and precautionary landing.

Narrative: I smelled gas in the cockpit and thought I saw smoke in the cockpit. Looking back on it; I'm sure the smoke came from the engine compartment from under the cowling; and then over the front windshield of the aircraft. I was using Flight Following and told Approach that I had smoke in the cabin and wanted to land. I made a precautionary landing. I took the plane to be inspected and repaired [to an FBO on the field]. They said the reason for the white smoke was due to an oil leak. They replaced some gaskets; repairing the oil leak. I did not report this to the FAA since there was no actual in-flight fire. Also; I was most concerned about getting on the ground safely. I didn't make the time to correct my statement to the controllers as I was making my precautionary landing. I was more concerned about being safely on the ground during this time.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

A ercoupe 415-C pilot reported observing smoke coming from the engine compartment. He coordinated with ATC for a divert and precautionary landing.