GIV flight crew reported smoke in the passenger cabin during cruise. Flight crew then safely diverted to a nearby suitable airport.
Synopsis
GIV flight crew reported smoke in the passenger cabin during cruise. Flight crew then safely diverted to a nearby suitable airport.
Narrative
We were on a flight plan from ZZZ to ZZZ1. Shortly after we were level at FL430 the Flight Attendant reported that there was smoke coming from the oven. She had turned the oven off. I went back to the galley to check but I could not determine that the smoke was coming from the oven. I pulled the oven circuit breaker just in case. Also we determined that the bulkhead in the aft cabin was very hot. And I could still not determine what the exact source of smoke was. So I went back to the cockpit and had decided to divert. Initially we started to divert back to ZZZ. But we decided that was too far and not the most suitable place to divert to. So we decided to divert to ZZZ2 because we are familiar with that field and everywhere the ceilings were low; but we did know that ZZZ2 had a long enough runway and an ILS. During the diversion we [advised ATC] because the smoke got worse. But as we were descending; the smoke got less. But; we had determined the best course of action was to land and investigate the source of smoke. After we landed we unloaded the passengers and got the Fireman on board so they could determine there was no fire or heat sources on the flight. The main takeaway for me was that we had a potential fire at FL430 and it takes a while [to] come down [to] divert to a suitable field. Especially when all surrounding fields were IMC.
Second reporter narrative
IFR flight plan from ZZZ to ZZZ1 level at 400; then we were instructed to climb to 430. Around that time the FA (Flight Attendant) reported to us that there was smoke in the cabin. She believed it was coming from the oven; which she then turned off. Moments later the smoke got worse so we decided to turn back around and chose the closest suitable airport; which was ZZZ2.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.