A MLG TRANSPORT DECLARED AN EMER RIGHT AFTER TKOF DUE TO SMOKE IN THE CABIN. SMOKE AND ELECTRICAL BURNING ORDER CAUSED BY A FAILED GASPER FAN.

Narrative

RIGHT AFTER TKOF FROM DCA; RWY 36; FLC SMELLED A VERY STRONG ELECTRICAL FIRE TYPE ODOR; FOLLOWED BY SEVERAL RAPID BELLS FROM THE FLT ATTENDANTS RPTING SMOKE IN THE CABIN IN A VERY URGENT MANNER. EMER DECLARED AND IMMEDIATE TURN FOR IAD WAS MADE FOR LNDG ON RWY 1R. TIME WAS NOT AFFORDED TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROB; EXCEPT TO TURN OFF THE GASPER FAN; WHICH SLOWLY CLRED THE CABIN SMOKE WITH A VERY STRONG ODOR REMAINING. AFTER LNDG THE EMER WAS TERMINATED. TAXI AND ENG SHUTDOWN WAS UNEVENTFUL. PROB WAS BAD BEARINGS IN THE GASPER FAN MOTOR. FAA INSPECTOR MET THE ACFT AND RECEIVED A BRIEF SUMMARY ON THE INCIDENT. HE WAS SATISFIED WITH ALL CREW ACTIONS. MOST OF THE SMOKE WAS CONFINED TO THE AFT CABIN. NOT BEING ABLE TO UNSTRAP AND LOOK FOR MYSELF; I HAD TO DEPEND ON THE FLT ATTENDANTS TO BE MY EYES; EARS AND NOSE; AND THEIR JUDGEMENT. FROM THE URGENCY IN THEIR VOICES; I DECIDED THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION WAS TO LAND IMMEDIATELY AT THE CLOSEST AND FIRST SUITABLE ARPT. FROM TALKING TO ANOTHER PLT IN THE CABIN AND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE; THE SMOKE WAS LIGHT TO MODERATE IN THICKNESS; AND CLRED SOON AFTER THE GASPER FAN WAS TURNED OFF.