A321
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
General Maintenance Action; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted; General Evacuated
Aircraft
At the gate just prior to pushback; passengers in the aft section reported odor (APU bleed on). The Flight Attendant reported eyes burning and visual mist. The First Officer immediately turned APU Air OFF; removed passengers and crew to gate area; notified Dispatcher. [We] called Operations to have passenger supervisor check on passengers in gate area. After maintenance cleared aircraft as safe; passengers returned to remove carry-on [and] verbal report by flight/cabin crew to Maintenance. Completed Aircraft Cabin Air Quality Report and FDML entry. Changed aircraft to A-320 and completed uneventful flight to destination.
An A321 at the gate with APU Air and Packs ON developed an aft cabin odor and mist reported by the Flight Attendant and aft cabin passengers. The aircraft was evacuated and the flight continued on another aircraft.