Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Right after takeoff the Flight Attendant called the cockpit to inform us that there was smoke in the cabin. As she was notifying us of the smoke we received an amber SMOKE TOILET caution message. We notified Departure that we would be returning. The Flight Attendant called back to the cockpit to inform us that the smoke was not coming from the lavatory; and she was unable to determine the source. The smoke started to reach the cockpit about this time. I told Departure that we had smoke in the cabin and cockpit and were declaring an emergency. Both the First Officer and I donned our oxygen masks. My smoke goggles were very dirty with large clumps of dust and residue from spilled liquid on them. They actually restricted my vision more than the smoke had. After the smoke removal procedure was accomplished I had to remove the goggles to be able to ascertain that the smoke had in fact been removed. With the smoke removed I told the First Officer to remove his goggles as well. The Flight Attendant told me that the smoke was diminished in the cabin; but some lingered in the back. I told her that unless the smoke got worse we would not evacuate on arrival. When we checked in with Tower we heard the Tower Controller inform the Fire Chief that we were 4 miles out and were the next to land. I told the Fire Chief that we would plan on exiting the runway at the first high speed. After exiting the runway we stopped; the fire trucks circled the aircraft and confirmed no sign of fire on the outside of the aircraft. I talked to the Flight Attendant and confirmed that there was no more smoke coming into the cabin. We taxied to the gate with out further incident. My smoke goggles were very dirty as I mentioned. There were dust balls on both the inside and outside of the mask. When the smoke removal procedure was being accomplished I could not tell if the smoke was actually leaving the cockpit; until I removed the goggles. I was wearing sunglasses at the time of the incident. I have never put the oxygen mask on over sunglasses. They became tangled in the harness; causing a slight delay in getting the mask on. There needs to be a procedure to have the smoke goggles cleaned. Remind pilots that do not wear glasses all the time to remove sunglasses before putting the oxygen mask on.
CRJ200 Captain is informed of smoke in the cabin shortly after takeoff. Smoke becomes apparent in the cockpit as well and an emergency is declared for return to the departure airport. Difficulties with the smoke goggles included dirty lenses and interference with the sun glasses being worn. The smoke removal procedure is successful and flight returns safely.