Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 80; Flight Crew Total 15000; Flight Crew Type 2500
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Smoke; Fire or Fumes Checklist was followed. [We] declared Emergency with Center. [We] diverted normal approach and landing; not over weight. Emergency equipment met aircraft after landing; after exterior inspection by them; continued to an approved Wide body gate. Flight deck crew stayed with aircraft and assisted Local Maintenance; four hours later flew different aircraft back to departure airport with the passenger. Spoke with Dispatch; Maintenance Control; Duty Manager; at gate.
The pushback; taxi and take-off were all normal. As we reached cruise altitude (FL340) the ride began to deteriorate and we requested higher (FL380). Sometime during this last step climb; approximately 30 minutes into the flight; both the Captain and I noticed a strong burnt electrical smell. The fumes appeared to be strongest along the left side cockpit windows. After several minutes of attempting to determine the origin of the odor; we gave up and both agreed it was time to run the 'Smoke; Fire or Fumes' checklist. I pulled out the QRH and we both donned O2; 100% (step 1). In accordance with the rest of the checklist; we then declared an emergency and diverted to the nearest available airport. At some point during the descent/approach the Captain informed the Purser that the situation in the cockpit was relatively stable and that they could anticipate a normal landing. We accomplished all checklist items and had an uneventful landing and taxi-in. We were followed to the gate by Crash and Rescue.
B767 flight crew experiences electrical fumes climbing to FL380. After attempts to locate the source are unsuccessful the crew complies with QRH procedures and diverts to the nearest suitable airport. A report from one of the flight attendants concerning the diversion is also included.