EMB ERJ 135 ER/LR
Flight Crew Commercial
Situational Awareness; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
On initial climb; we noticed a smell and assumed it was device fluid. This smell was intermittent to about 10;000 FT. Climbing through about 12;000 FT we noticed the smell was stronger and less like de-ice fluid. This was quickly followed by the Baggage Smoke warning message. We accomplished the memory item; declared an emergency; and advised the Controller of the situation on board and our intentions to return. We were given clearance direct to ZZZ and a descent to 10;000 FT. We completed memory items for smoke in the cockpit; as we could smell smoke. We notified the Flight Attendant of the situation. The Flight Attendant reported strong smell of smoke but no visible smoke. We made an announcement to inform the passengers of the situation and to follow the Flight Attendant's instructions. During the remainder of the descent; the Captain advised the Flight Attendant the brace commands were to be given and a possible evacuation. Upon landing we brought the airplane to a stop on the runway and then opened the cockpit door. The Flight Attendant reported the smoke smell was still present. We elected to evacuate out the main cabin door. I went outside and assisted the passengers while the Captain completed the checklists and notified Tower of the evacuation. After everyone was off the aircraft the Captain made a trip through the cabin to ensure no passengers were present; while I ensured that the passengers remained in a group at the edge of the runway safely away from the approaching emergency vehicles. CFR allowed passengers and crew to warm up in the fire trucks until the bus made it out to the aircraft. No one reported any injuries. The aircraft had the following MEL's at departure: APU INOP; Right Side reading light INOP; Number 2 Pack INOP; and Hot Jug INOP.I was hand flying at the onset of the emergency; and upon notification of ATC turned back to the airport. Because of our light weight and subsequent high rate of climb; we were very close to the airport and very high. This demanded some effort to get the aircraft positioned for a stabilized visual approach. I asked the Captain to lower the landing gear and extended the speed brakes. The Captain was primarily concentrated on coordinating with Air Traffic Control and the Flight Attendant at the same time. The breathing of both of our oxygen masks while both the Flight Attendant and ATC were talking made communication very difficult. After the initial transition to the descent and return; I felt that the Captain was very busy while my workload was significantly less; he told me to handle the radios; and I made some responses to ATC and handled some non-flying duties. I felt that I should have taken more initiative to relieve the Captain of some of his workload; and this would have been much easier if the sound of both of our masks was not a constant distraction in the intercom.
We completed memory items for smoke in the cockpit; as we could smell smoke. We notified the Flight Attendant of the situation. The Flight Attendant reported strong smell of smoke but no visible smoke. She was instructed to put her mask on. The Flight Attendant either misheard or misunderstood (I was talking through my oxygen mask; so it was difficult to communicate with her) my instruction and not only donned her mask; but used the MRT to deploy the passenger masks. We made an announcement to inform the passengers of the situation and to follow the Flight Attendant's instructions. During the remainder of the descent; we advised the Flight Attendant the brace commands were to be given and a possible evacuation. Upon landing we brought the airplane to a stop on the runway and then opened the cockpit door. The Flight Attendant reported the smoke smell was still present. We elected to evacuate out the main cabin door. The First Officer went outside and assisted the passengers. I completed the checklists and notified Tower of the evacuation. After everyone was off the aircraft I made a trip through the cabin to ensure no passengers were present. Some of the instructions that I gave the Flight Attendant were not clear to her. I thought I was giving her instructions which she would understand but could have been much clearer in those instructions. I feel that more/better CRM training needs to be done with pilots and flight attendants together so that we understand each other better. I also think some guidance/training needs to be given on the use of passenger oxygen masks. I myself struggled making a decision to drop the passenger masks or not. Possible guidance on using a wet cloth over the nose and mouth when the smell of smoke is present may be worth investigation.
EMB135 flight crew reports smelling smoke climbing through 10;000 FT; quickly followed by the baggage smoke warning message. An emergency is declared and flight returns to departure airport where the passengers are evacuated through the main cabin door using the aircraft stairs.