Gulfstream III (G1159A)
Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Company Policy; Procedure; Aircraft
Government has a program in which different centers produce instruments that are flown by government agency airplanes. The aircraft are Gulfstream-III airplanes modified for research. I would like to report an incident that took place aboard the G-III that reveals serious problems with regard to safety.The plane was initially stationed in ZZZ and scheduled to fly over foreign country. 3 [Company] contractors were aboard a flight. We experienced smoke in the cabin shortly after takeoff. Pilots requested priority handling; coordinated with the airport tower; and we landed about 40 minutes later. Below are the details of the safety breach:1) There was not enough emergency equipment for all passengers. We had 3 [Company] workers; and only 1 oxygen bottle. Each bottle can support 2 people. One person did not get enough access to the bottle; and had to get O2 in the emergency room after we landed. The two others had access to the bottle; and they were discharged by the emergency room. There was one cabin in the aircraft labeled as 'oxygen regulators'; which had no oxygen bottles inside.2) If pilots believe there might be fire in the airplane; they will not drop oxygen masks. Thus the availability of another source of emergency O2 is essential. The G-III flies at 41;000 feet and we cannot simply open a window to get air if the cabin is filled with smoke. In this flight; the crew chief (civil servant) took 10-15 minutes to determine there was no fire. During this time; all three crewmembers were exposed to smoke.3) The G-III is not a commercial aircraft. It carries many racks of electrical equipment inside; and a network of wires to support the instrumentation. It is also an aging aircraft that has shown electrical problems before; even if all proper care is taken with its regular maintenance. There has been other incidents of smoke in the aircraft. In fact; on another flight the smoke problem was observed before takeoff and the aircraft was again grounded. Thus; the event we experienced before is to be reasonably expected given the nature of our work.4) The incident occurred aboard the G-III government Agency X. Another government center also operates a G-III. However they provide smoke hoods to all passengers. These systems are called EPOS. 5) All present in the flight presented written statements to [Company] Safety Office as well as to the Center describing the insufficient sources of emergency O2. However; they refused to purchase smoke hoods; provide additional training; or go over lessons learned from the event. Center spent time and resources to repair the aircraft and continue the data collection. [Company] workers were asked to show up to work before any corrective measures had taken place.6) Mr. X was questioning the need for medical treatment of one crewmember; in order to change the mishap classification of the event. There is a clear conflict of interest as Mr. X is part of routine G-III operations.
Scientist/Observer reported that during a smoke in the cabin event; only one oxygen bottle with two masks was onboard with three crewmen; resulting in a crewmember becoming incapacitated; requiring medical treatment.