![]() ![]() As the SIC accomplished this task, the aircraft began a shallow right turn toward the fix approximately 10 miles away. The PIC/PNF directed the SIC to enter a course in the flight management system (FMS) direct to their home airfield’s initial approach fix (IAF). After 15 more seconds, the smoke cleared enough that the cockpit instrument lights and lower console were partially visible. After approximately 10-15 seconds, with the smoke continuing to obstruct all visibility, the PIC/PNF felt for and found the left and right bleed air valves and moved them to the “Environmental Off” position. The PIC elected to not use the smoke goggles. After a few seconds, the PIC/PNF noticed the smoke was not burning his eyes and announced this to the crew. The first actions of the pilots were to don oxygen masks and locate their smoke goggles. Upon seeing the smoke, he returned to his seat and donned his oxygen breathing system. The crewman in the rear of the cabin was standing at the time, adjusting some equipment, and noticed the smoke exiting the cockpit and beginning to fill the cabin. None of the flight instruments or navigation devices were visible. Neither pilot could see any visible reference outside or inside the cockpit. The entire cockpit was engulfed in this smoke after approximately five to eight seconds. At 2345 local time and after approximately three hours on station at 24,000 feet MSL about 20 miles east of the airfield, the PIC, in the right seat and the pilot not flying (PNF), saw a two-to-three-foot-high vertical wall of thick gray smoke enter the cockpit between his right shoulder and the right cockpit window. ![]() This was an otherwise-routine, night VFR mission, and a proficiency flight for the SIC, who was serving as pilot at the controls (PAC). ![]()
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