B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 365; Flight Crew Type 16000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
The First Officer noticed smoke coming from the flight counter on his yoke. We [advised ATC] and returned.
Just prior to takeoff; both the Captain and I noticed a smell that we associated with the air conditioning system. The smell was faint prior to takeoff. After takeoff and selecting the flaps up; the smell became increasingly strong and changed to a burning plastic smell. I placed my hand on the upper half of the control wheel to initiate a turn towards a heading of 280. The flight counter (upper left) felt very hot to the touch; enough so that I couldn't touch that portion of the control wheel. I turned on my reading light and engaged the autopilot and saw smoke emanating from the flight counter. I informed the Captain and we immediately dawned masks and established Crew comm. We informed Departure of our [situation] and intention to return. Control was transferred to the Captain and I began running the smoke and fumes checklist. ATC initially vectored us to one runway then changed to a different runway which led to a 360 turn to better establish ourselves to land and configure. Captain gave me control back of the airplane; landed; and taxied to the gate uneventful after Ground EMS cleared us.
Flight crew reported burning smell and smoke emanating from the yoke on departure and returned to land.