Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 162; Flight Crew Total 15720; Flight Crew Type 7719
Distraction; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft; Weather
On descent at approximately FL200; I received an interphone call from Purser telling me that there was white smoke coming from a ceiling panel near the forward galley in the area of Circuit Breaker Panel 2000VU. She also told me there was a burning smell that accompanied the smoke. I requested an immediate vector to our destination airport. We had a company A320 First Officer deadheading in the cockpit who I sent to the cabin to assist the purser and give me an evaluation of the situation. He reported back that the smoke was dissipating; but the smell was still noticeable. ATC vectored us to a visual approach where we landed uneventfully. On the ground we stopped on the taxiway where we were met by air rescue and firefighting (ARFF) who checked the aircraft with their FLIR and reported there was nothing unusual seen. Since both the smoke and smell had dissipated we made the decision to taxi to our gate with ARFF following. We were not able complete the smoke/fumes checklist in the A320 QRH because of the time available to landing (12 minutes) and the coordination with our jumpseater and Purser. We did the immediate action from memory donning our O2 masks and establishing communication. They had thunderstorms in the area and were on a non-standard routing for the flight. Upon landing; an evacuation was considered; but since the smoke had dissipated and the smell was diminishing along with the fact that ARFF saw no indication of a fire; we decided to continue to the gate.
On the arrival at FL200 received a call from cabin that a passenger had witnessed smoke 'puff' from the ceiling near the forward galley and also smelled smoke. Flight attendant said she also could smell smoke but could not see any. Captain instructed her to put on her PBE; evaluate the situation and to keep him informed. The flight crew donned O2 masks at this time and the Captain informed ATC of our condition. The cockpit jumpseater was sent back to the cabin to verify condition and to also render aid and report to cockpit. No further smoke was seen but smell was reported as electrical/ozone and getting stronger. Odor of electrical smoke was now present in the cockpit at which point the Captain advised ATC. First Officer continued duties as pilot flying and initiated a rapid descent. Captain requested and received clearance for visual approach with progressive vectors and altitude recommendations by ATC. Landing was uneventful; on glide path and on speed. We exited at Taxiway and to turn left onto another taxiway where we immediately came to a stop to do a final evaluation of the inside of the aircraft by the jumpseater and flight attendants and the outside of the aircraft with infrared equipment by the fire department. Flight crew removed masks at this point. The Captain and First Officer came to the decision that an evacuation was not necessary and proceeded to the gate for a normal deplane. We requested that the fire department escort us all the way to the gate while maintaining fire watch and communications with the cockpit. The flight attendants were informed of the plan for a normal gate deplane but were told to be prepared in case the problem escalated. The aircraft arrived at the gate where a normal deplane commenced and a final fire inspection was initiated and completed and an all clear given.
An A320 Flight Attendant reported smoke from the ceiling near the forward galley during descent to their destination so ATC expedited the arrival. At the gate; the aircraft was deplaned normally because the smoke had dissipated.