A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
The flight blocked out two minutes late. After starting Engine 2; an ECAM message for AUTOFLT RUD TRIM 2 FAULT appeared. ZZZ Ground Control was advised that we needed some time to address a mechanical discrepancy and they requested that we move out of their way and taxi southeast on Z holding short of C. The ECAM message was addressed by calling Dispatch; being transferred to [Maintenance Control]; and deferring the fault via the MEL (two MEL's; one being a CAT downgrade). The MEL Operations Procedure was lengthy and required some extra minutes to complete.While we were waiting [on the documentation] for the MELs plus a reduction in brake release fuel; Flight Attendant C contacted the flight deck to report a passenger in or near the exit rows had flagged her down to report an unusual smell of 'burning fuel.' Flight Attendant C stated she also smelled it and agreed with 'burning fuel.' I requested all flight attendants assess the odor. Three of the four flight attendants stated they could smell it with Flight Attendant B saying it burned her nose slightly and Flight Attendant A saying it irritated his throat somewhat. There was no rush to judgment at this time because we were still waiting for the [documents] anyway. The APU was started and the APU Bleed was switched on and off with Pack 1 and Pack 2 turned off alternately with the intent to eliminate the odor or isolate the source. Eventually more passengers reported smelling the odor too. The flight attendants reported that the smell would go away and then they would call back shortly thereafter to say the odor was back. Overall the odor was persistent and we had delayed somewhat hoping it would go away. No odor was apparent in the flight deck at this time. At this point; Dispatch was contacted; the transfer to Maintenance Control was made; and a decision to return to the gate was made. Upon arrival at the gate with the flight deck door opened; Flight Attendant C forward to tell us she wasn't feeling well. When I asked if she needed medical assistance she said yes because she was feeling light headed and having some difficulty in breathing. I asked the First Officer to phone STAT-MD while I advised the gate agent to request EMTs to come to the aircraft. STAT-MD told the First Officer to call back when the EMTs arrived and to provide the vital signs. Then; I inquired about the fitness of the other flight attendants and all reported they were okay. Dispatch was advised of Flight Attendant [C] illness. At no time was I aware of any passengers showing any symptoms or claiming to be affected by the odor.Paramedics arrived at the gate took Flight Attendant C to a medical facility for further treatment. Because pilots are prohibited from going to the cabin to assess odors; perhaps more training for flight attendants to assess and better identify the intensity and effect of these odors could provide pilots with better info to make a 'go' or 'no go' decision.
A320 Captain reported returning to gate due to fuel smell reported by passengers and flight attendants.