American Bonanza Society Magazine

Like ice, thunderstorms, and cancer, the only “safe” amount of carbon monoxide (CO) is zero. CO is the byproduct of the combustion of fuel. It can leak into the cockpit of Bonanzas and Debonairs because these airplanes use the exhaust manifold as a heat exchanger and direct the surrounding, heated air into the cockpit. If any of that piping is cracked or in any way leaking, the actual exhaust gas (laden with CO) can be sent into the cockpit. CO seem less of a threat in Barons and Travel Airs, because they use combustion heaters instead of the engine exhaust manifold to heat cabin air. Combustion heaters burn avgas as well, however, and since they are in the nose of the airplane, a leak in the heater or its exhaust can also result in CO entering the cabin. 58P Barons use turbocharger-compressed upper deck air to pressurize the cabin, so it’s unlikely, but a leaky induction manifold could conceivably allow CO into the P-Baron’s passenger compartment. Carbon monoxide is a potential hazard no matter what Beechcraft you fly.