Electrical Smoke or Fire, the pilot's first action should be to

• A. Continue the flight and troubleshoot on the next leg
• B. Don oxygen mask and shut off the affected electrical circuit
• C. Open all vents and increase cabin altitude
• D. Ignore the smoke and reset the circuit breakers

Answer: (B)

Electrical smoke or fire in flight demands immediate protection for the crew and rapid control of the fault. The first action is to don the oxygen mask to ensure you have clean air and reduce exposure to smoke or toxic fumes, then shut off the affected electrical circuit to cut power to the source of the problem. This dual move quickly lowers the risk of the fire spreading, minimizes further damage to systems, and gives the crew time to assess the situation safely. Venting the cabin or increasing altitude can make smoke spread more widely and worsen conditions. Ignoring the smoke and resetting breakers can re-energize the fault and potentially reignite a fire. After securing air and power, follow the SOPs for declaring an abnormal situation, coordinating with ATC, and preparing for diversion or landing as required.