B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 146
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
After an approximate 30 minute deicing process; with the engines shut down (needed the landing gear deiced and there was a lot of snow and ice on aircraft from prior day's snow storm); we taxied to Runway 8. Captain was Pilot Flying. On our takeoff roll; just prior to V1; I seemed to notice a mist in the cockpit. I called V1; and Rotate at the appropriate speeds when I smelled smoke. I noticed the mist; which turned out to be smoke; getting thicker in the flight deck. As we rotated and climbed out; I could hear 'Fire; fire; fire' from the Passengers in the cabin. Simultaneously; the Flight Attendants (FA) were calling to the cockpit. The Captain and I quickly ascertained that the odor was deicing fluid and that was causing the smoke. I answered the FAs call and they told me about the smoke. I told them that it was the deicing fluid but to call me if they saw flames or it got worse. I then made a PA telling the Passengers that the smoke was caused by the deicing fluid coming through the vents of the aircraft and that everything was under control. I checked on with Departure and then donned my O2 mask. We continued the climb; discussed turning around; but both agreed that it was deicing fluid and the cabin was clearing out; so we continued our eastward climb. When time permitted; we proceeded with the 'smoke; fire; fumes' checklist. I wish we had some type of procedure to help mitigate this from happening. I think that a PA message to the Passengers; mentioning the possibility this happening; would helped lessen their panic.
We had an originator out of DEN; with a lot of ice on the aircraft from the previous night's winter storm. I had the deice Crew take extra care in getting all the ice off the aircraft. They spent approximately 30 minutes deicing the aircraft. After deice; we taxied to Depart Runway 8. On take-off we had fumes with the distinct smell of deice fluid throughout the cabin and cockpit. Passengers were concerned and we were chimed by the FAs that some fumes were in the cabin. The First Officer immediately made a PA to assure the passengers that the smell was from the deicing fluid. I had him put on an oxygen mask as a precautionary measure. We went to high on the packs to clear out the fumes. We went through the Smoke; Fire; Fumes QRH Checklist. We flew on to destination uneventfully.
B737NG flight crew was informed by the flight attendants (and indirectly by passengers) of smoke in the cabin just after takeoff. The aircraft had undergone extensive deicing prior to takeoff; with the engines shut down; and deicing fluid had apparently gotten into the pneumatic ducts causing fumes and smoke. The fumes dissipated quickly and the flight continued to destination.