Dash 8-300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting; Time Pressure; Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Aircraft Automation Overrode Flight Crew; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
During climb around 8;000 feet we got a CABIN PACK HOT caution.  We did the checklist for it; during that check; when we went from AUTO to MANUAL; the duct temp became extremely hot we then got a CABIN DUCT HOT light.  At that time the Flight Attendant reported a burning rubber smell.  We declared an emergency and returned to the departure airport.
A DHC-8-300 CABIN PACK HOT caution illuminated and after unsuccessfully attempting to control it; the CABIN DUCT HOT alerted so an emergency was declared and the flight returned to the departure airport.