EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Troubleshooting; Physiological - Other; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Aircraft; Human Factors
I was the First Officer on the flight. At the cruise to descent portion of the flight; the Captain and I noticed our throats starting to become scratchy and feel a dry mouth. We discussed this briefly and began to evaluate the situation. We then noticed a smell similar to dirty socks coming from the area near the control yoke. We questioned if the Flight Attendant noticed anything in the cabin; she did not report any odors. I then noticed that my eyes were starting to water and burn and the Flight Attendant called back saying she was experiencing eye burning. We immediately complied with the memory items for cockpit fumes. I requested vectors for the straight in ILS 27 as well as a lower altitude. We told the Flight Attendant that we would be making a precautionary landing and would be on the ground in less than 10 minutes. I experienced burning eyes; coughing; chest heaviness; as well as an overall discomfort. At this point we were busy preparing for landing and running the necessary checklists. Crash Fire Rescue was standing by as we made a normal landing. We shut down the bleeds and packs as well as the Number One Engine. We had no abnormal indications in the cockpit so we taxied to the gate for a normal deplaning. The Flight Attendant spoke with the passengers who assured her they were fine so they left normally. The Captain and I spoke with CFR as well as airport police to give a general synopsis of what had happened. While the Captain was on the phone with Dispatch the Flight Attendant informed me that she didn't feel well at all; I informed the Captain who had me request an ambulance with the station personnel. The police officer brought the Flight Attendant down from the jet bridge and gave her oxygen and took basic vital signs. The ambulance showed up and took all the crew members' vital signs and then transported us to the hospital. We were taken to separate ER rooms and evaluated; x-rayed; diagnosed with chemical inhalation and eventually released. The Station Manager showed up to ask us a few questions and then we took the hotel van to the hotel.
The reporter stated that the odor was first detected after engine power was reduced to begin the first step down descent from FL220 to FL200. The aircraft was removed from service following this flight; inspected by Maintenance and released for flight to a major maintenance station. Enroute; the Maintenance Test Crew had an emergency for the same odor. During a second maintenance test flight the aircraft was again grounded. The reporter has not investigated the aircraft's history further. He reported a smoker's cough for five to six days following this event; even though he had never smoked. His physician found no effects other than the cough and he was off work for a week. The reporter did stay in contact with the Captain whose symptoms were somewhat more severe; and he was off work for two weeks on steroids to control his symptoms.
At the end of cruise/beginning of descent into our destination; I noticed my throat suddenly started to get scratchy. I asked the First Officer and he responded that his was also. We thought something could be wrong although we could not really smell anything. We continued to investigate and noticed a faint musty/oil smell around the yokes. We shut of the gasper fan; noticed that the smell was slightly stronger. I inquired to the Flight Attendant and no smells were noted; so we figured it wasn't the gasper. We turned it back on and started to get other physical symptoms. We then figured it had to be some kind of fume problem and conducted the cockpit fume memory items. Symptoms included burning eyes; throat; coughing; and chest heaviness. By then we were very close to the airport. We informed the Flight Attendant that we were going to land; and for the moment go to the gate unless something else happened. First Officer informed ATC and asked for straight in for [Runway] 27. At that point the main priority was to simply land safely then deal with any issue. The Flight Attendant then called and said she was starting to experience symptoms. After deplaning we talked to a police officer; and he wanted to know if we wanted to go to the hospital. I told him we wanted to get checked out; but normal procedure was to have the Station Manager take us unless there was a medical emergency. We were all experiencing the symptoms described above; but nothing seemed to be an emergency. I called Dispatch; talked to our Dispatcher and the Duty Officer. While on the phone my First Officer informed me that the Flight Attendant suddenly felt faint and was having other symptoms. At that point I asked for an ambulance. The police administered oxygen to her while waiting for the ambulance. Once it arrived we were all transported to the hospital for evaluation.These aircraft need to be looked at carefully. It seems like a very large number of similar events are happening. This is clearly a safety and health issue; for crew and public. I am now out of work for awhile; possibly unpaid; with possible long term health problems
An EMB-145 crew reacted physically during and after a flight in which they were exposed to a dirty socks odor. All crew members were treated at an emergency facility.