Beechcraft 1900 returns to departure airport after a burning smell was detected.

Attributes
ACN	845822
Time
Date	200907
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Air Conditioning and Pressurization Pack
Person 1
Function	Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Commercial
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

Narrative:

After takeoff; when the bleed air valves were opened; a strong burning smell was detected from the panel vents on the flightdeck. We acomplished the emergency action items and QRH for environmental fumes; contacted ATC and declared an emergency. We tried to contact operations with no response. We were therefore unable to contact dispatch to make them aware of our intent to divert and amend the dispatch release. Given the location; altitude; and IMC weather; the captain made the decision to return to ZZZ. Fire rescue vehicles responded to the emergency. Pas were made to the passengers in the air and on the ground. We taxied to the gate and deplaned the passengers. The passengers reported not smelling fumes in the cabin.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Beechcraft 1900 returns to departure airport after a burning smell was detected.

Narrative: After takeoff; when the bleed air valves were opened; a strong burning smell was detected from the panel vents on the flightdeck. We acomplished the emergency action items and QRH for environmental fumes; contacted ATC and declared an emergency. We tried to contact Operations with no response. We were therefore unable to contact Dispatch to make them aware of our intent to divert and amend the Dispatch Release. Given the location; altitude; and IMC weather; the Captain made the decision to return to ZZZ. Fire Rescue vehicles responded to the emergency. PAs were made to the passengers in the air and on the ground. We taxied to the gate and deplaned the passengers. The passengers reported not smelling fumes in the cabin.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.