PA-42 Cheyenne IIA
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 4830; Flight Crew Type 200
Situational Awareness; Workload; Time Pressure; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Upon reaching 9;000 FT MSL; a burning smell was noticed in cabin. At that time; I reduced the electrical load; started an emergency descent and advised ATC of my intentions. My initial intention was to land at a large international airport. During the descent; I changed to another closer airport. The aircraft landed with out further incident. The cause of the smoke appeared to be a cell phone charger in the cabin. A complete incident report was completed with the Airport Operations.
The reporter stated that the faulty cell phone charger belonged to a passenger. After the aircraft was inspected and signed off; the flight continued.
A PA-42 pilot declared an emergency and diverted when a burning odor was detected in the cabin. After landing; a passenger's personal cell phone charger was found to be odor's source.