Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 170; Flight Crew Total 8930; Flight Crew Type 1363
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
Shortly after takeoff received a call from cabin stating that they were experiencing smoke and fumes in the cabin primarily by door 3 left. Continued with the after takeoff profile and checklist; continued climb to above 10;000 feet. Received a second call from the cabin regarding the smoke and fumes; and sent one of the relief pilots to the cabin to assess the situation. As the cockpit door opened and closed we immediately smelled the fumes coming from the cabin. Shortly thereafter; the relief pilot called to report a fireworks-like smell in the cabin; no smoke but plenty of fumes. At that point we elected to return to ZZZ; [notified ATC;] and commenced fuel dump. Approach offered us an immediate return to Rwy XXR; but I declined since we did not have smoke and the situation did not seem to be escalating. We dumped fuel as we flew the downwind for rwy XYL. We made a SATCOM call to dispatch and requested landing data be uplinked for rwy XYL at our projected landing weight after fuel dumping. We experienced several status messages; and a pack overheat as we turned final. We turned the pack off and continued the approach to a normal landing; taxi in and parking. Excellent CRM and coordination with ATC and dispatch made this a successful and safe return to field.
Very shortly after takeoff; while the airplane was not cleaned up; we received a call from door 3R that there was a very strong odor smell of electrical burning; plastic burning; and smoky smell. We did not smell anything in the cockpit at that time. We set up a blocker to send an IRO (International Relief Officer) back to investigate and immediately upon opening the cockpit door the smell entered the cockpit. We discussed and agreed to air return at that point. The flight attendants accurately described it as the smell of 'fireworks.' We ran the checklists and procedures to return back to the airport and landed without further incident. During our return the right pack was turned off when the airplane printed out 'right pack overheat' off the printer.
B777 flight crew reported air return shortly after takeoff due to fumes in the cabin.