B757 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 250; Flight Crew Total 22000; Flight Crew Type 8000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
During climb we noticed the left engine oil temperature in the caution band and around 163 degrees. Pulled out the QRH and reduced the throttles just a little bit and oil temperature came out of the caution band and as we climbed the left oil temperature got cooler. Engine oil temperature QRH says 'Plan to land at nearest suitable Airport.' As we were discussing returning; the cockpit and cabin suddenly filled up with very thick smoke; we put on our oxygen masks and decided to close left engine bleed valve. By closing the engine bleed valve; the smoke dissipated and air cleared up. So we declare an emergency; talked to Flight Attendant and headed back. Normal landing and proceeded to the gate. On the way back we tried to get our maximum landing and performance limit thru Dispatch. We were not able to get them; so we referred to the performance section of our Flight Manual in the iPad and got the runway and performance numbers for landing. A little more help from Dispatch would be highly appreciated.
I was working flight as the Purser. During the first beverage service approximately 30 minutes into the flight I received a call from the flight deck advising that we were having engine problems and would be returning. The Captain told me that he would make an announcement to the passengers and call me back. I discreetly advised two flight attendants but the last Flight Attendant was working the food cart in economy. Before we could notify her we noticed smoke filling up the entire cabin. We did not observe any fire. It appeared to be a thin gray smoke. I was in the 1st Class Galley when I heard someone yell 'smoke.' When I turned around and looked down the aisle I could see smoke throughout the cabin. It was thin enough that I remembered seeing to the first part of the economy section. I couldn't tell where the smoke was coming from since it appeared evenly distributed throughout the cabin. I am unable to recall any specific smell to it. I immediately called the flight deck to advise them. Another Flight Attendant was also on the phone advising the same from Door 4. The Captain was telling us that he was aware and immediately informed the passengers that engine oil was leaking into the A/C system and that we were heading back. The smoke began to dissipate within a few minutes. I called the Captain back to see if we needed to prepare the cabin for an emergency landing and do T.E.S.T. He stated that we would have a regular landing with no need to prepare the cabin for an emergency. He told me that we would be on the ground in 20 minutes. We had a number of Spanish-speaking passengers so I made an announcement in Spanish advising that we would be returning with a normal landing expected. We then proceeded to prepare the cabin for a normal landing.We landed without incident and were met by an In-flight Supervisor. Two flight attendants were very shaken up by the incident and did not feel that they could continue the trip. [One flight attendant] had to go to the ladies room to get herself together. She teared up a few times. [Another flight attendant] stated that he was shaken up and did not want to get back on a plane right now. After being on hold with the crew desk for over 10 minutes I hung up. By that time the In-flight Supervisor had them on the line. I told them that the entire crew would not be continuing on this trip. She immediately put me on hold to contact a Supervisor. That person was very rude stating only that she needed to speak to my Supervisor. She would not tell me her name. We were all concerned that the pilots did not stay to de-brief us after this incident. A debriefing would have helped all of us process the incident better by understanding exactly what happened as well as get feedback. Also there was a lack of support from In-flight and the crew desk. They only concern seemed to be whether we could continue working. At no time were we asked to have a seat or offered water and/or asked if medical assistance was needed. One other Flight Attendant and I decided to continue the trip while two others ended theirs.
B757 Captain notes high oil temperature during climb which is brought back into the green by reducing thrust slightly on the left engine. Shortly thereafter the cabin and cockpit begin filling with smoke. The left engine bleed valve is closed eliminating the smoke and the flight returns to the departure airport. The lead Flight Attendants perspective of this event is also provided.