A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Physiological - Other; Training / Qualification; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Company Policy; Aircraft; Procedure
Fumes in Cabin Event; descending through approximately 12;000 FT; Captain smelled a slight musty odor inside cockpit. The strength of the musty odor increased during the descent. The arrival proceeded without delay. The Captain experienced some stinging of the eyes during the last few thousand feet. After landing on Runway 08L and turning off at the high speed taxiway; a single chime rang from the cabin. The First Officer spoke to the cabin crew and received a report that strong fumes existed in the cabin. It was strongest mid-cabin; near over-wing exits; and observed by all passengers. The flight attendants reported they experienced symptoms that included; by position: A) chest tightening; bad taste in mouth; headache; nausea; B) scratchy throat; difficulty breathing; headache; visibly red watery eyes; and; C) chest tightness. The First Officer experienced stinging eyes after parked at the hardstand. After receiving the cabin report; the Captain stopped pack operation by turning off both engine bleed switches. Then an APU start was attempted. The first two APU starts terminated in auto-shutdowns; the third APU start attempt was successful. By this time aircraft was parked in spot N1 in the north hardstand; perpendicular to the prevailing 15 KT wind. Once the APU was available; the engines were shut down. The APU bleed was turned on to see if fresh air could be brought into the cabin. A brief inquiry to passengers standing in the vicinity of Row 4 yielded information that the smell continued and was increasing. The APU bleed was de-selected and doors 1L; 1R; 2L; 2R and both cockpit windows were opened. The fumes were drawn out quickly with the steady winds. All passengers were deplaned by air-stairs at the 1L door and entered waiting buses. This is normal deplaning procedure at the north hardstand. Operations were advised during taxi in. Station personnel were informed and contract Maintenance arrived shortly. The Cabin Air Quality Report was filled out by the First Officer after a physical inspection of the exterior showed both hydraulic fluid leaking from the servicing panel and sticky oil residue from a 4 inch diameter angled drain hole behind pack number 1. Once passengers were deplaned; crew condition was evaluated. With all of the fresh air and the passage of approximately 15 minutes; the crew was considered asymptomatic other than red; watery eyes of the B Flight Attendant. Multiple consultations with Maintenance Control and Chief Pilot's Office resulted in a request that the flight crew conduct troubleshooting of the APU; Packs; engines using external air for start; etc. Confirmation was gained that problem still existed with engines driving packs without any use of APU. Spooled engines yielded a prominent return of fumes. Original fumes smell described by C Flight Attendant in mid cabin as 'stinky cheese smell' initially and then evolving into a chemical smell; a distinct transition. Fumes described by A Flight Attendant in forward cabin as 'musty smell.' During maintenance troubleshooting tests; only two pilots and one Contract Mechanic were on board. Crew deadheaded out. Captain urged each crew member to seek medical care and submit their reports. Captain went to a hospital ER and B Flight Attendant departed en-route to a hospital ER. Cause to be determined by post event analysis. Ongoing series of fumes in cabin events; this is third cabin fumes event in nine months experienced by this Captain flying at a rate of 85 hours per month. That is a rate of one cabin fumes event per 255 hours of operation. The practice of having the operating crew conduct maintenance troubleshooting after an event needs to be revisited by the corporation. Normal operating procedures do not cover all items that need to addressed during maintenance engine runs.
The Reporter stated that he did not know for certain what the source of the odor was. He found it interesting that depending on where a person was located in the cabin determined what flavor the odor assumed. It was not described as dirty socks by any one. The Reporter went to the ER that evening; roughly five hours after the event; had blood drawn for analysis and at that time was declared recovered from the exposure. The results of the blood analysis have not been returned.
An A319 Captain reported a toxic odor in the aircondioning system which caused the pilots and flight attendants physical symptoms including chest tightness; headache; nausea; red eyes; and breathing difficulty.