MD-82
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Diverted; General Declared Emergency
Weather; Aircraft
We had descended from FL320 to FL280 due to turbulence. Upon reaching FL280 an acrid odor briefly presented in cockpit. Shortly thereafter the flight attendants reported an odor in the cabin and advised the passengers were very concerned. We turned off galley power and recirc fans and increased cabin altitude to dissipate the odor; which seemed to help temporarily as the attendants reported that they were not sure if the odor was gone or not. We then decided to divert to a nearby airport and so advised ATC and company operations. While proceeding direct to the airport in the descent the cabin reported the odor was recurring. Maintained as high airspeed as possible consistent with ride conditions to reduce enroute time and deviated from SOP to get the jet on the ground in minimum time. Landed overweight but softly in the touchdown zone.
An MD-82 flight crew declared an emergency diverted to a nearby airport and landed overweight but uneventfully when acrid odors permeated the cockpit and passenger cabin.