Saab 340 Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Commercial
Confusion; Distraction; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Diverted; General Declared Emergency; General Evacuated
Aircraft
Toward the end of cruise; the Captain and I smelled a strong smell at the same time. At the same time of our noticing the smell; our Flight Attendant called informing us there were smoke and fumes in the cabin. The Captain immediately told the Flight Attendant to dawn his oxygen mask and have his fire extinguisher ready and asked if he saw any flames. The Flight Attendant replied no and told us that the smoke was coming from the middle of the cabin from an air vent located near the floor. The Captain told the Flight Attendant to inform us of any changes to the situation and if required to hand out oxygen masks to the passengers. After the Captain and I put on our oxygen masks and goggles; the Captain; being the pilot not flying; declared an emergency with ATC and requested immediate vectors to a divert airport. The Captain chose that airport as the best airport in the vicinity due to our altitude and location. We were then instructed by ATC to maintain max forward speed and given a descent and a heading for direct the airport. The Captain than called the Flight Attendant on the phone and informed him we should be on the ground within 20 minutes; and the Flight Attendant told the Captain that the smoke was getting worse. The Captain then pulled out the QRH and followed it closing the bleeds/recirc fans; and once altitude/cabin pressure permitted; we dumped the cabin. After landing and shutting down/securing the engines; the Captain told the ground crew and the Flight Attendant to evacuate the plane immediately through the main cabin door. Fire Rescue was already outside the plane and as soon as everyone had exited the aircraft; they swept the plane.
A SF-340 flight crew and Flight Attendant detected a strong odor during cruise just prior to descent. So they declared an emergency; completed the QRH and landed at the nearest divert airport where the aircraft was evacuated.