B737 flight crew reported diverting after a passenger's charger overheated resulting in smoke and an...

Narrative:

During cruise at FL360; we were notified by the a flight attendant that a battery charger; which a passenger in the front row was using to listen to music on her mini ipod; had overheated (which had produced smoke) and was now contained and no longer producing smoke. The fas said the smoke had produced an odor throughout the cabin. We referenced the QRH and the aircraft operations manual (aom). Per the aom 'if the source of the smoke can be positively identified and easily contained a mutual decision made by the flight deck crew and cabin crew to continue to destination might be a sound one.' dispatch was contacted and made aware of the situation. After discussing the situation once more with the fas; the decision to divert was made. Dispatch and ATC were made aware of the decision and the divert checklist was completed with consideration being given to the overweight landing. Due to the divert being a precautionary measure an emergency was not declared. During the descent; the fas requested paramedics meet the aircraft due to an ill passenger. The flight concluded safely at the gate with paramedics and maintenance meeting the aircraft. The battery charger remained at the [diversion airport].the divert was a non-event. It was only after all checklists were complete that the event became stressful due to the excessive number of phone calls! Stop calling the flight crew! Have one contact point for us to contact after we have taken care of our passengers! I want to help dispatch; maintenance; operations; chief pilot on call; scheduling etc.; but let us call you when our duties on the ground have been completed. We will give you a detailed description of the event as soon as possible!

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reported diverting after a passenger's charger overheated resulting in smoke and an odor in the cabin. The flight crew expressed concern over the number and tone of communications from Operations.

Narrative: During cruise at FL360; we were notified by the A FA that a battery charger; which a passenger in the front row was using to listen to music on her mini iPod; had overheated (which had produced smoke) and was now contained and no longer producing smoke. The FAs said the smoke had produced an odor throughout the cabin. We referenced the QRH and the Aircraft Operations Manual (AOM). Per the AOM 'if the source of the smoke can be positively identified and easily contained a mutual decision made by the Flight Deck Crew and Cabin Crew to continue to destination might be a sound one.' Dispatch was contacted and made aware of the situation. After discussing the situation once more with the FAs; the decision to divert was made. Dispatch and ATC were made aware of the decision and the Divert Checklist was completed with consideration being given to the overweight landing. Due to the divert being a precautionary measure an emergency was not declared. During the descent; the FAs requested Paramedics meet the aircraft due to an ill Passenger. The flight concluded safely at the gate with Paramedics and Maintenance meeting the aircraft. The battery charger remained at the [diversion airport].The divert was a non-event. It was only after all checklists were complete that the event became stressful due to the excessive number of phone calls! STOP calling the Flight Crew! Have one contact point for us to contact after we have taken care of our passengers! I want to help Dispatch; Maintenance; Operations; Chief Pilot on Call; Scheduling etc.; but let us call you when our duties on the ground have been completed. We will give you a detailed description of the event ASAP!

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1408483
Time
Date	201612
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 97
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 194 Flight Crew Type 800
Events
Anomaly	Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Electronic Device Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness

B737 flight crew reported diverting after a passenger's charger overheated resulting in smoke and an odor in the cabin. The flight crew expressed concern over the number and tone of communications from operations.