A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
In cruise flight the Flight Attendant (FA) called and said she smelled smoke. She said she didn't see smoke but smelled some sort of electical fire/smoke odor. We advised ATC that we were [had a situation] and would like to start an imediate descent and head towards [the nearest suitable airport]. We told the FA to keep us posted if the smell got worse or she saw smoke or found the source of the problem. ATC gave us a decent initiallty to FL190 and a heading followed by direct the airport. It was about a little over 100 miles away at this point. Just as we were about to level at FL190 the FA called back and said that she had detected the source of the smell. That the smell was coming from one of the FA's purses that had been in the front galley. She told us that the smell was coming for a car remote that had gotten wet and that they had searched thouroughly and were 100% confident that the smell had come from the purse and that there was nothing wrong with the aircraft. We verified this with her at least 3 or 4 times. We were at FL190 at the time and decided since the source of the smell had been detected and we were confident that the safety of flight was not impacted or would be impacted we decided to continue the flight. We advised ATC what had happened and they reissued a clearance to destination. As we proceeded back on course we decided to contact dispatch by radio rather than try to explain it over ACARS. Dispatch concluded with us that as long as the safety of flight was not impacted and the source of the smell had been determined that we would be safe to continue the flight. We verified with dispatch our Fuel on Board (FOB) and had them double check our new arrival fuel. We were tankering so there was plenty of fuel to continue the flight safely. Our arrival FOB was still scheudled to be over 11;000 lbs. We also verified with the FA's that the passengers were calm and that she 100% certain again that the odor was coming from her purse and that there was nothing wrong with the aircraft. We continued to [our original destination] and landed safely. Upon landing the FA's came to the cockpit to debrief the situation. Only then did she tell us that there had been an electronic cigarette in her purse and she briefly saw what looked like smoke come from her purse. We then concluded that the electonic cigarette had most likely been the source of the odor.
In cruise flight; Flight Attendant (FA) called the flight deck and reported an electrical fire smell coming from the galley area with no smoke. I was pilot flying and took the radios; while the first officer pulled out the manual. I [notified ATC of the situation] and requested to ATC that we change our destination [to the nearest airport] and to have equipment standing by. I called back to the cabin crew to get an update and they said they still said they smell the odor and cannot find the source. After a couple minutes passed and passing through FL190; the lead FA calls back to inform us that they located the electrical smell and that the smell is coming from a flight attendant's purse that was sitting up in the forward galley. The FA assumed that the smell was coming from a car key remote that was possibly shorting out in her purse. I asked her if she was 100% sure that this was the source of the smell and she confirmed with a 'yes' answer. So I proceeded to level off the aircraft and notify ATC that [the situation] no longer exists and explained the situation. I asked to climb back up to our crusing altitude and continue to destination. I called dispatch to explain the situation and to go over fuel numbers to proceed safely with the flight. Thankfully we were a tankering flight and had plenty of fuel on board to continue safely. After talking to dispatch; I checked with the FA's another time to make sure that the smell was once again the purse and to make sure the passengers are calm. They informed me once more that the purse was 100% the cause of the smell and that the passengers were calm. We continued to [our destination] with no further events and the flight was completed safely. Upon parking at the gate; I asked the two forward flight attendants to come up to the flight deck to explain the situation again to us. What she failed to inform us inflight was that there was visible smoke that temporarily came from the purse and that there was also an electronic cigarette in the purse as well. I saw her car key remote and it looked like there was no damage to the remote at all. I can only assume that the electronic smell and smoke came from the electronic cigarette that was in her purse. I have heard more and more issues with electronic cigarettes in flight. From passengers using them in the lavatories and setting off smoke detectors; to this event. I really think we need to consider more strict regulations in regards to electronic cigarettes onboard our aircraft.
A320 flight crew is informed by a Flight Attendant that electrical fumes are present in the cabin. ATC is advised and a diversion is planned. At FL190 the Flight Attendant advises that the source of the smoke has been traced to a purse and later confirmed to have been caused by an E cigarette. Flight continues to destination.