C182 pilot reported smoke in the cabin while on an IFR flight plan; and electing to divert to a near...

Attributes
ACN	1412623
Time
Date	201612
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Electrical Power
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50 Flight Crew Total 675 Flight Crew Type 14
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Track / Heading All Types Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

Narrative:

Experienced electrical issue during cruise flight on an IFR flight plan in IMC. I immediately shut off the master switch [and] that stopped the smoke. In the meantime; I flew out of a cloud and recognized the surrounding area. Being in visual conditions; I stayed in visual and continued to execute a precautionary landing at [a nearby airport]. I turned the master back on momentarily to allow me usage of the aircraft's flaps; and heard center calling me multiple times. I responded and told them I had an issue in the cockpit at which point they asked if I was declaring an emergency; and I responded (seeing how I was on final) with no. After this occurrence; I promptly shut the master off to ensure that a fire would not start. Once on the ground; I immediately called the operations desk at center and explained what had happened. My deviation decision from ATC instructions was made at a point where I did not have communication with center and due to not knowing the cause I decided it was best to execute a precautionary landing while remaining in visual conditions. Ultimately; the result of the incident ended as a non-event in the form of a precautionary landing.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: C182 pilot reported smoke in the cabin while on an IFR flight plan; and electing to divert to a nearby airport without notifying ATC.

Narrative: Experienced electrical issue during cruise flight on an IFR flight plan in IMC. I immediately shut off the master switch [and] that stopped the smoke. In the meantime; I flew out of a cloud and recognized the surrounding area. Being in visual conditions; I stayed in visual and continued to execute a precautionary landing at [a nearby airport]. I turned the master back on momentarily to allow me usage of the aircraft's flaps; and heard Center calling me multiple times. I responded and told them I had an issue in the cockpit at which point they asked if I was declaring an emergency; and I responded (seeing how I was on final) with no. After this occurrence; I promptly shut the master off to ensure that a fire would not start. Once on the ground; I immediately called the operations desk at Center and explained what had happened. My deviation decision from ATC instructions was made at a point where I did not have communication with Center and due to not knowing the cause I decided it was best to execute a precautionary landing while remaining in visual conditions. Ultimately; the result of the incident ended as a non-event in the form of a precautionary landing.

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.