A321
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Aircraft
While in cruise flight; a flight attendant reported unknown fumes. The Captain handled the cabin communications and he had me handle the radio in addition to pilot flying duties. Soon; we both detected the fumes and I believe that they seemed to be electrical in nature. We both donned our oxygen masks and Captain performed QRH procedure for smoke/fumes. After completing the checklist for smoke/fumes Captain consulted with the Dispatcher. Captain decided to divert to the nearest suitable airport. Shortly thereafter; cabin crew reported nausea/illness with at least 2 of the members and possibly one passenger. Medlink was not consulted or discussed due to the urgency of the situation. Captain declared an emergency and I flew as fast as feasible to divert destination. Upon initial contact with Approach Control; Captain requested and was granted no speed restriction below 10;000 FT MSL. Additionally; Approach Control offered the approach and landing to the opposite direction runway and accepted after consulting with me. We made this decision based on calm/negligible winds; unlimited visibility; and it would save precious minutes. On the approach; I maneuvered the aircraft due to higher than normal speed above profile in order to attain a stabilized approach at about 1;000 FT AGL. Subsequent approach and landing were routine and I used higher than normal braking in order to exit the runway quickly. We decided that since the fumes were not increasing; we elected to go to the gate. Ground and Ramp Control helped facilitate a quick docking at the gate where we were met with airport EMT responders. All maintenance and flight operation procedures were followed to such an extent that I would have done nothing different if this occurred in the future.
An A321 diverted after the flight attendants reported unknown fumes which were later detected by the flight crew who then declared an emergency and completed the Smoke/Fume QRH procedure.