A330
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Communication Breakdown
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
At 500 feet after departure 2 flight attendants reported a chemical odor at doors 3L/R. In the cockpit the 3 of us smelled an odor similar to burning rubber which soon dissipated. The flight attendants wanted medical assistance and the decision to return to the departure airport was made. An overweight landing was made at 420;120 lbs; sink rate 200 FPM. Dispatch had also advised to make overweight landing. Logbook and odor forms were completed.I suggest [we] advise Inflight Services that during sterile cockpit phases of operation; one call to cockpit to advise us of a problem is sufficient.
After departure; the flight crew momentarily detected a burning rubber odor. The odor was stronger in the cabin which caused the flight attendants to be persistent so the Captain returned to the departure airport for a cautionary landing.