Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Physiological - Other; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; MEL
At the gate we could hear a loud buzzing noise. We thought it was ramp equipment. After push back; with APU off and packs on engines; the loud noise continued. To identify the source of the loud buzzing noise; we cycled off/on; one at a time; pack 1; 2; engine bleed 1; 2; ventilation extract; cabin fans. The noise continued during taxi; until we got EICAS - VENT BLOWER FAULT. When Blower fan failed; we smelled an unusual odor that cleared within a minute. After completing VENT BLOWER FAULT procedure; we contacted Inflight and they confirmed that the FA's in forward cabin smelled the odor. Dispatch/Maintenance was notified and we returned to gate for maintenance. FA's in forward cabin; verified that odor cleared within a minute. Multiple PA announcements to passengers were made to keep them informed. At the gate a logbook entry of VENT BLOWER and odor was made. Cabin odor reporting form was completed. Maintenance checked and MEL'd the VENT BLOWER.
Air carrier pilot reported a loud noise while at the gate and was believed to be ground equipment. During taxi; the noise continued along with an odor throughout the cabin. An EICAS message appeared on the MFD; Vent Blower Fault" and the crew returned to the gate for maintenance."