MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Time Pressure; Distraction; Physiological - Other
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Exited Penetrated Airspace; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
On climbout we smelled an acrid burning rubber smell. I contacted the flight attendants and they were smelling it also. We continued the climb looking at possible malfunctions and warning lights; no abnormal indications were noted. Flight attendants called back and stated that the smell was getting worse; at this point we declared the emergency and requested radar vectors to Runway 18R. We ran the QRH procedure; coordinated with ATC for Airport Rescue and Fire Fighters and Company notification and provided the necessary details to ATC regarding 141 SOB and 14;000 LBS fuel on board. We were handed off to Tower cleared for the visual 18R approach and were in direct contact with 'Command' the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighters (ARFF) unit. On the downwind leg to the airport the smell had subsided and we advised Command of our status. Approach; landing and rollout were uneventful. ARFF looked us over; no heat signatures noted and we proceeded to the gate where we terminated the emergency. Particularly noteworthy was the effort of First Officer who flew a perfect approach and landing; the quickness of the ARFF to respond and the expeditious handling by Departure and Approach Control and Tower. The heat detector worked extremely well and is a great feature to have. Also the flight attendants were helpful in providing updates to the cabin condition.
Shortly after takeoff; the Captain and I smelled an acrid 'burned rubber' smell. He called back to the flight attendants and they smelled it also and reported it to be getting stronger. We declared an emergency; followed QRH procedures and returned to land. The smell dissipated by landing. ARFF unit met the aircraft on landing; detected no unusual heat signatures. We returned to the gate and off loaded the passengers.
Shortly after takeoff an MD80 flight crew and flight attendants detected an acrid burning rubber odor; so an emergency was declared and the flight returned to the departure where Airport Rescue and Fire Fighters detected no heat spots.