A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Physiological - Other; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Workload
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Evacuated
Aircraft
We pushed back; started both engines. We were approximately Number 5; first flight of the day; shut down APU after engine start; taxied to Spot 2. We got a call from 'A' Flight Attendant reporting fumes/odor (dirty socks) in the cabin. With parking brake set; called Dispatch/Maintenance. Maintenance advised to go back to the gate. Asked Ground to return to gate; was approximately Number 4 for takeoff; turned south on Taxiway Y. Got another call from the 'A' Flight Attendant expressing increase odor and fumes; asked Ground to expedite return to gate; they did. We returned to the gate; customers deplaned; no injuries during deplaning; customers left all belongings on aircraft; medics met the aircraft; took crew's vitals; went to the hospital for further evaluation; tested for TCP's and carbon monoxide. Possible pyrolization of aircraft oil or hydraulic fluid.
Our flight departed the gate and began taxi-out for departure. After completing the safety demo; and conducting necessary cabin checks; I strapped into my jumpseat located at the 1L door. Upon taxing out for departure; I began smelling a very strong odor that smelled similar to dirty; sweaty feet or socks. The smell continued to grow stronger; at which point I looked over to the 'C' Flight Attendant and asked her if she could smell anything; she could. Neither one of us could determine where the odor was coming from. I immediately picked up the interphone and notified the Captain; that we detected a strong odor in the galley/cabin. The Captain asked me to keep him informed and give him an update every minute. I called the 'B' Flight Attendant; and asked him if he and the 'D' Flight Attendant could smell any strong odors. Both flight attendants confirmed they smelled something unusual. I called the Captain again to give him an update; and he confirmed he heard the conversation I had with the 'B' Flight Attendant over the interphone. The Captain advised me that we were going to return to the gate. After giving the Captain the update; I left my jumpseat to walk through the cabin to determine if the strong odor was also in the entire aircraft. While walking through the main cabin area; I determined that the odor was also present throughout the entire passenger cabin. Upon reaching the emergency exit row; I met a non-rev Flight Attendant and knelt down next to him to quietly advise him that due to an odor in the cabin we would be returning to the gate. After speaking with him; I walked to the aft galley to advise the 'B' and 'D' Flight Attendants that we would be returning to the gate. It should be noted that the odor was most noticeable and stronger in the AFT and FWD most areas of the aircraft. While walking to the front of the aircraft to return to my jumpseat; I noticed that numerous passengers were covering their nose and mouth; and that the odor began to grow stronger. As I returned to my jumpseat; I began to feel very light headed and dizzy. As a result; I began to breathe through my uniform sleeve in an effort to reduce the amount of fumes/odor being inhaled. I also noticed that some of the first class passengers were beginning to look around and ask what the smell was; and what was going on. As the odor grew stronger; I picked up the interphone to give the Captain another update. The Captain asked me to hold on the interphone; which I did for approximately 30 seconds. When the Captain returned to speak with me; I advised him that we needed to expedite to the gate as the odor was becoming stronger. The Captain advised me that we were quickly returning to the gate and would be evacuating the passengers off the airplane via the front of the aircraft; and instructed me to have all passengers leave their belongings; taking nothing with them.After speaking with the Captain; I made a PA announcement to passengers to provide information about our return to the gate. My PA announcement included that we were returning to the gate due to the odor that was accumulating in the aircraft. I advised the passengers that we would be doing a controlled evacuation through the front of the aircraft and advised them to leave personal items; keep all overhead bins closed; and to remain seated; with seatbelts fastened; until we arrived at the gate; and the Captain turns off the seatbelt sign. The announcement was immediately followed up by the 'D' Flight Attendant; in Spanish. Upon arriving at the gate; I got on the PA and reminded the flight attendants to 'Monitor and Challenge' and to 'verify and disarm doors.' The 1L and 1R doors were properly disarmed via team monitor and challenge. Once the 1L door was opened; the 'C' Flight Attendant and I directed passengers out of the aircraft via the 1L door. Each passenger was closely monitored and reminded to watch their step as they exited the aircraft. It was noticed that passengers were covering their nose and mouths as they left the aircraft. After a few passengers left the aircraft; the Captain exited the flight deck and utilized the FWD PA to provide a follow up announcement ordering passengers to exit the aircraft and not to take any personal belongings.Due to growing concerns of inhalation complications with passengers; and the light headedness I was experiencing; I asked the First Officer; who was still seated in the cockpit; to have medics respond to the aircraft. He confirmed he was making the request. Note: I did not observe any passengers running; pushing; or acting in a panic state. The evacuation was orderly. Following the Captain's announcement; I got on the PA and reminded the flight crew that there were three (3) unaccompanied minors (UM) on board. After nearly all passengers exited the aircraft; I met one of the UMs and asked him to remain with me. I then reminded the flight crew via the PA to check all bathrooms and to exit the aircraft. After confirming with the crew the aircraft was clear of all passengers; I deplaned and walked the UM to the top of the jetway. At the top of the jetway; I met one of the gate agents (name unknown); and handed over the UM that I escorted up the jetway. I advised her that there were two other UMs onboard; but I was not sure where they went during the evacuation. I began looking around the boarding area; where most passengers went after exiting the aircraft; and located the other two UMs who was seated with other adults. All three UM's were then accounted for and in the custody of the customer service gate agents. After accounting for the three UM's; I returned to the top of the jetway; in the glass enclosure outside of the boarding area; and met with medics to request having my vitals checked. I advised the medics that I was feeling light-headed and was checked accordingly. One of the representatives; possibly a Customer Service Supervisor; asked us if we had our 'green card' or 'odor event' card on our person to provide direction on how to handle the event. This representative said she had twenty-years previous experience as a Flight Attendant with the Company and attempted to give us direction; however; I was not aware of any such card; nor were any of the other flight attendants at the scene. While having my vitals checked with the medics; I observed an influx of several company representatives; none of whom were introduced to me personally; with the exception of [the] In-flight Supervisor. She asked if I was continuing on the trip; to which replied which I wanted to be removed. I explained that I was experiencing concerning symptoms (which included elevated and abnormally high blood pressure as told to me by medics); which I felt it unsafe for me to continue on to another flight. Note: The company representatives handling this event; particularly those assigned to the flight (i.e. gate agents; customer service supervisors); appeared to lack full understanding of the seriousness of the situation and were quick to state that another aircraft was available for us to continue onto the next flight. The management team at the scene; excluding the Supervisor; were unknown to me; including their capacity and their involvement in the situation; this was frustrating and caused great confusion. In the interest of learning how best to handle the event and more accurately understand the significance of the odor event/fume exposure; I contacted the union emergency number and left a message requesting to speak with someone who could provide direction and knowledge on odor/fume events. Shortly thereafter; I was contacted by a representative who put me in contact with a Safety Chair. Due to symptoms I was experiencing; I requested to be transported to the hospital for further evaluation. It should be noted that medics provided resistance to transporting me and other crewmembers to the hospital and stated to me; 'the hospital can't do much for you;' and 'anything you inhaled is likely out of your system already.' However; all crewmembers; including non-rev Flight Attendant; requested treatment and were transported to the ER via ambulance for medical evaluation. After being evaluated and released from the hospital; the crew was transported back to the airport via cab to meet with the Supervisor; who secured our crew luggage at the airport. We retrieved our luggage from the In-flight Services crew room shortly thereafter. The crew was provided hotel transportation and accommodations at the local hotel in for the night; and the crew responded to their respective duties the following day.
After start and beginning to taxi; the Captain shut down the APU. Shortly thereafter; the 'A' Flight Attendant notified the Captain of a dirty socks odor throughout the cabin so the aircraft was returned to the gate and deplaned. The crew was evaluated at an emergency room.