A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Total 15000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
While taxiing noted strong musty oil like odor. Notified A Flight Attendant and inquired about odor being present in cabin. She indicated a similar odor in aircraft. Immediately told her a return to gate was in progress. ATC notified and a 180 turn was safely completed on taxiway. Coordination between Ground; Ramp and Company was accomplished a new gate and taxi instructions were given. Accomplished QRC Quick Action Items; smoke/avionics smoke/fumes. Passengers notified of returning to gate. Taxied into gate. After arrival at gate Maintenance Control met us at gate and a fumes report was completed. First Officer complained of headache and throat soreness. 'A' Flight Attendant complained of dizziness; headache and breathing problems. As Captain; I experienced a headache. Possible oil and or chemicals (deicing fluid) being ingested into APU inlet and throughout air conditioning ducts.
Deadheading flight crew asked to speak to Captain during boarding. He alerted Captain to a smell of wet; dirty socks. Flight attendants took several walks through [cabin] to see what they thought. The odor was faint at the time and very centralized; almost like a coke exploded in a seat pocket and was starting to produce mold. FA2 did not smell anything in aft. As an entire crew we decided we would push back and be vigilant of any changes. During the safety demo we noticed the odor had gotten stronger. During compliance check the odor was so strong it started to cause my eyes to burn/water. By the time I was in the aft galley; Captain called to say it was so strong that we would return to gate. When I got to the front galley I had developed more serious symptoms; such as burning sensation in my throat and lungs as well as labored breathing. No passengers complained of symptoms during deplaning. Two deadheading pilots did. Maintenance informed us that this specific aircraft has had previous fume events; one of which was in October.
Captain and Flight Attendant of A319 reported strong odor and fumes when departing the gate. The odor became progressively worse during taxi so crew opted to return to gate and call to Maintenance.