A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Physiological - Other; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
At 37;000 MSL and approximately 380 NM from destination received communication from Flight Attendant Number 3 (FA3) in Aft Galley that she was not feeling well due to an apparent odor/fume. CA/FO immediately asked for more information specific to the nature of the smell and if she could identify the location; source and severity of the situation. FA3 did not believe the problem was serious enough for medical attention but wanted to keep the aircrew informed of the abnormality. CA/FO informed dispatch via ACARS Free Text Message and spoke to FA1 directly; asking her to keep an eye on the situation and inform CA/FO of any updates. Approximately 15-20 min later; FA1 informed the CA/FO that she has rotated the flight attendant crew through the aft-most station and the situation seemed to be contained but an obvious write-up would be necessary for the next crew. Approximately 15-20 min later; all flight attendants were beginning to feel ill due to fumes in the aft galley. Shortness of breath; tingling in fingertips; and dryness of throats were the most common symptoms amongst the FA Crew. Passengers did not appear to be affected but FA1 now believed medical attention would be required upon arrival for her and her crew. At this point we were approximately 20 min from landing.CA maintained aircraft control and managed arrival into our destination; FO communicated intentions to begin descent as soon as practical; informed FA1 to put any affected crew members on oxygen as discreetly as possible and immediately notified dispatch via ACARS that medical attention is required upon arrival. After landing with all flight attendants near incapacitation the FO made multiple attempts to convince the paramedics to board and treat the most seriously injured FA as soon as possible. Paramedics refused to board the plane for fear of also succumbing to any toxic gas/fumes present. At this point FO elected to deplane all passengers and asked the CA to make a public address announcement that one of the Flight Attendants was very ill in the back of the plane and medical staff would be seen upon their deplaning. After multiple Airlines Service and Maintenance Support Personnel boarded to help the ailing FA; FO was able to convince one of the medics to proceed to the aft galley and help the most seriously impaired FA. With passenger and FA deplaning complete; CA/FO went to back of plane and noticed a very obvious; toxic; chemical-like smell immediately aft of row 24.
A319 First Officer reported an aft Flight Attendant was ill from fumes and began rotating forward flight attendants aft. By arrival time all flight attendants required medical attention for shortness of breath; fingertips tingling; and throat dryness.