Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Diverted; General Evacuated; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
Cruising at FL310 when the SMOKE CARGO WARNING went off. I called for the QRH Smoke Cargo Warning checklist. I remained the PF; the FO ran the QRH. At the same time I declared an emergency and asked ATC to get us slower. Using the FMS I saw we were within 50 miles to ZZZ and we told ATC we would like to divert there and were given the current weather. After running checklist the SMOKE CARGO WARNING was still on. We descended quickly at the same time contacted Company; the Flight Attendant and informed the 22 passengers. Less than 10 minutes later we were being vectored for the ILS to ZZZ. (Ceilings were around 900 OVC; 5 miles visibility). We briefed about evacuation on the runway because we still had the SMOKE CARGO WARNING. Flight Attendant kept us posted on the situation in the cabin; negative smoke. We decided; as long as there is no smoke or fumes entering the cabin up to landing we would stop the plane and do an orderly evacuation out the main cabin door. We were cleared for the ILS; but at glideslope interception the Tower warned us the glideslope went down. We concurred this information because we lost the glideslope. We went missed then were vectored to the ILS approach for the opposite runway. We had a normal landing and after I stopped the plane we ran the Evacuation Checklist and I informed the passengers to exit out the main cabin exit. Fire trucks were standing by along with a bus; and the FAA officials.
The aircraft was stopped on the runway. Emergency services inspected the aircraft finding a closed system was leaking some gaseous substance presumed to be oxygen creating fog; however; no trace of fire; heat or smoke.
CRJ200 Captain experiences a cargo smoke warning at FL310 and diverts to the nearest suitable airport. The smoke warning remains active and the passengers are evacuated through the main cabin door.