A BE400A suddenly developed a loud squeal from the center instrument area panel so the crew declared...

Attributes
ACN	982257
Time
Date	201112
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Beechjet 400
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

Narrative:

Enroute ferry climbing through FL370 sudden loud; constant noise/squeal emanated from forward console/center instrument panel. Unable to determine source; we stopped climb at FL380; with ATC approval. No abnormal indications from any of the engine instruments; pressurization gauge or caution panels. As noise persisted; PIC determined further safe flight would be in doubt and directed sic to declare emergency and that crew would proceed to nearest suitable alternate. Descending through FL330; noise began to dissipate and within seconds was silenced around FL325. Flight continued uneventfully and a safe landing conducted. At no time were there any abnormalities indicated other than the noise.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A BE400A suddenly developed a loud squeal from the center instrument area panel so the crew declared an emergency and diverted to a nearby airport because they were unable to determine the noise source.

Narrative: Enroute ferry climbing through FL370 sudden loud; constant noise/squeal emanated from forward console/center instrument panel. Unable to determine source; we stopped climb at FL380; with ATC approval. No abnormal indications from any of the engine instruments; pressurization gauge or caution panels. As noise persisted; PIC determined further safe flight would be in doubt and directed SIC to declare emergency and that crew would proceed to nearest suitable alternate. Descending through FL330; noise began to dissipate and within seconds was silenced around FL325. Flight continued uneventfully and a safe landing conducted. At no time were there any abnormalities indicated other than the noise.

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.