Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 3695; Flight Crew Type 500
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
Takeoff planned for ZZZ Runway XX; shortly after takeoff we got a cabin alert chime. Pilots ignored chime until 1000 ft AGL; and until we had put the aircraft into clean configuration. The FA were calling to advise us of electrical odor in the cabin. We were climbing thru 3500 ft to FL190; and asked ZZZ Departure for a level off at 5000 ft. they gave us 6000 ft level off. Captain flying at the time; engaged the autopilot; set 6000 ft; and selected FLCH W/spd 250 kts. Captain then advised FO he was flying and he also had the radios. Captain then contacted the Purser to receive firsthand info of situation in the cabin. The report was the odor appeared to be rancid and most pronounced in the mid-cabin; but was also initially discovered in the Forward galley. The FA advised they could not identify where the electrical odor was coming from. The Captain then advised the FA we were going to return to airport and to call back to cockpit if the odor continued or became worse. The Captain then made a PA announcement advising the passengers we had a problem that required us to return to ZZZ.Captain had the FO ask for return vectors to ZZZ airport and get a descent and slow the plane down to 210 kts. We then [advised] ZZZ approach control. We set up for a visual approach to ZZZ Runway XX. On approach FO contacted the cabin again to find if anything else was wrong and if odor was worse. They advised situation was the same. We continued the visual approach and landed uneventfully.We then taxied clear of the runway; contacted ops for a gate; contacted the cabin again; then taxied to gate and deplaned the passengers in an expedited manner.
After returning to the gate for a flickering/sparking light in the forward galley; maintenance determined that it was a loose bracket for the lightbulb that was responsible for the issue. After replacing a number of those brackets; we taxied back out to the runway. The flight attendant called to tell us that there was some slight flickering but no sparking this time. Our assumption was that it was just a lightbulb issue and not an electrical issue and that the flickering was normal. We continued the takeoff roll; however after about 4000 feet in the climb; the flight attendants called back and told us there was an electrical smoke smell. We immediately [advised ATC]; returned to the departure airport and landed without incident. Maintenance could not immediately determine the cause of the smell upon our arrival at the gate.
B757 flight crew reported the Flight Attendants called and said there was an electrical smell in the cabin.