Dash 8-200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
During cruise flight at 16;000 FT; the flight crew noticed the SMOKE Warning flickering. This occurred for about 10 seconds. During this time we initiated the necessary memory action items; declared an emergency with ATC and began the diversion to the nearest suitable airport. We ran the appropriate emergency checklist and were notified by the Flight Attendant that there was no smoke or fire in the cargo compartment. We continued the diversion; contacted operations and landed without incident. The Contract Mechanic who came to inspect the issue said the Number 1 baggage smoke sensor cannon plug had become loose which caused the flickering of the smoke warning.
DHC 8-200 Captain experiences a flickering smoke warning at 16;000 FT. The crew elects to divert to the nearest suitable airport after declaring an emergency. During descent the Flight Attendant reports that there is no smoke in the baggage compartment; but the diversion is continued. A loose smoke detector cannon plug is found to be the cause.