EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 2150; Flight Crew Type 1150
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action; General Police / Security Involved; General Evacuated
Aircraft
When we arrived to our aircraft the inbound crew notified us that they were writing up the aircraft for 'fumes/odor' in the aircraft cabin and cockpit associated with BLEED 2. Upon entering the aircraft a pungent acrid electrical smell was present throughout the cabin. Contract maintenance arrived and began his flowchart which lead to starting the APU; which began to make the fumes in the cabin dissipate. At this point Maintenance wanted to conduct engine runs to cycle packs and bleeds to determine the cause of the fumes. After approval from the station ops and ground control we started the #2 engine to begin idle engine runs at the gate. After starting the #2 engine the fumes which had since dissipated returned just as strong as before. We then started the #1 engine and began trying different pack and bleed combinations. We found that the #2 bleed with either pack was the causing the strongest odor. At this point maintenance decided the fumes were not normal or improving so we shut down the engines and exited the aircraft leaving the APU running while we stood in the jetbridge discussing what we would do next. The captain heard a warning message from the cockpit and ran into the cockpit at which point I noticed the emergency lights were on and the cabin lights were off. I looked into the aft cabin and saw smoke building in the aft end of the aircraft. I yelled 'smoke in the cabin' to the Captain. At this point we both evacuated the aircraft making sure our Flight Attendants were not on board. We alerted Operations who called Firefighters and law enforcement. We were called back to the aircraft to release the parking brake so they could push the aircraft away from the gate.
Arriving Crew deplaning the aircraft said they could smell strong chemical/burning/glue smell. Smell was present in jetbridge and entire cabin. Waited for 40 min in jetbridge for Contract Maintenance. Once Maintenance and Flight Crew boarded to inspect we felt able to sit in the cabin and await checks. About an hour and half after checks; the APU cleared the smell. More checks brought the smell back. And engine run was then done and they closed the cabin door and pulled back the jetbridge. During the engine run the smell came about strongly and my other FA (Flight Attendant) and I both felt lightheaded. Upon returning to the gate we deplaned. While we were gathering our things our FO (First Officer) noticed a smoky haze coming from the cabin and yelled 'Smoke!' The CA (Captain) followed with an evacuate call and we all quickly deplaned to the outside of the jetbridge. Once clear we went back into the gate and as Firemen and Law Enforcement arrived we evacuated the terminal as well and then sought medical treatment for the fumes and potential smoke inhalation.
ERJ-175 First Officer and Flight Attendant reported evacuating the aircraft after haze filled the cabin following engine pack troubleshooting.