B737-700
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 181; Flight Crew Type 3000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Procedure
Flight attendants reported smelling fuel in aft cabin. Captain took over the conversation with flight attendants and I assumed control of aircraft and radios. I prepared landing data and got set up for the arrival while the Captain worked with the flight attendants to resolve where the fuel vapor was coming from. First he had them check the overhead bins where the smell was prevalent. Meanwhile he checked the QRH for smoke/fumes. The checklist is set up mostly for electrical events; so we discussed the steps and decided the ones that would probably help considering we had the fuel leak on the #1 engine. We used those steps to turn the left pack and bleed off. The fumes started to dissipate after that. We then ensured all electrical steps were back on and working; and continued our descent and landed without further event.
Approaching top of descent; the flight attendants reported smelling kerosene fumes in the cabin starting about Row 13 and aft. The First Officer and I could not smell anything. I instructed them to check the overhead bins for any fluid that may have spilled. They could find nothing. On the previous leg; a fuel leak on the number one engine was discovered during engine start. The engine was run and the leak found by Maintenance was within serviceable limits. With this in mind while applying the QRH; we elected to turn off the left engine bleed air and left pack and closed the isolation valve. The flight attendants reported about five minutes later; that the smell was dissipating. We landed without further problems. The problem was written up and the aircraft was taken out of service.While the QRH does not specifically address this scenario in the Smoke/Fumes Checklist; we were able to adapt parts of it to shut down the left side of the pneumatic system. If in fact the leak in the No. 1 engine was determined to be the source of the fumes; perhaps an assessment should be made of what is serviceable with regard to what the source of the leak is.
B737 flight crew is informed by the flight attendants that there is a fuel smell in the cabin. Since a fuel leak on the number one engine had been detected prior to departure and deemed to be acceptable by Maintenance; the left bleed and pack are shut down and the smell begins to dissipate. The aircraft is taken out of service after landing.