A330
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Physiological - Other; Troubleshooting; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft; Human Factors
During takeoff and on climb out an odor of unknown origin appeared in the aircraft. While perceptible on the flight deck; the odor was worse in the area of the mid galley. The odor was described as 'electrical' by most of the cabin crew. One flight attended perceived a 'dirty sock' smell. It smelled like jet exhaust on the flight deck. Passengers inquired as to when the smell was going to stop; while varying symptoms appeared in all but two of the Flight Attendants. These included headache; dizziness; and nausea. I selected both packs to high; and we reviewed the smoke and fumes removal procedure in the QRH; but the odor began dissipating. The cabin crew felt that they could continue to our destination. After conferring with the CSD; we deemed it advisable to contact our medical provider for consultation. They were unable to do so from the cabin; so I initiated a SATCOM call to the controlling dispatcher with the CSD present on the flight deck. The consulting physician recommended Tylenol and Oxygen if needed. Four portable Oxygen bottles were used by the cabin crew in flight. On approach the odor returned. One Flight Attendant vomited with others presenting renewed symptoms. I requested paramedics with Approach Control. This resulted in a phone call from me to Tower after gate arrival per request to comply with their reporting procedures. After deplaning; paramedics checked vital signs of affected cabin crew. I completed a Cabin Odor Report and entered the appropriate Logbook entries. During our time on the ground; I consulted with OCC; MOC and onsite Maintenance personnel. The aircraft was eventually given a clean bill of health; and we departed approximately two hours late. A slight odor was reported after takeoff by at least one Flight Attendant. It did not reoccur.
An A330 crew detected a dirty socks odor in flight which dissipated allowing the flight to continue. On approach the odor returned causing some flight attendants to become ill.