Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 101; Flight Crew Type 951
Troubleshooting
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Procedure
During descent info ZZZZ; above approximately 10;000 feet; we detected an odor. We were just cleared to slow to 220 knots; and when the power went to idle; the Captain stated he smelled something similar to burning rubber; and asked me to check with the flight attendants in the galley. I called door 1L; and they did not smell any odors; and they verified that they weren't burning anything. As I called them I detected the odor as well. It was initially strong. Enough to get an acrid taste in my mouth. Just as quick as it began; the odor dissipated. Out of an abundance of caution; and to make myself useful; I stood up and checked our luggage and the rest of the cockpit. I checked the floors and vents for any odors and there was none. The Captain asked what I was doing and asked if I checked the luggage. We then focused our attention on the approach. On rollout we briefly detected the odor again. We discussed that we would expect a possible odor then after using the brakes and thrust reversers. After block in; the Captain asked us if we think the odor warranted any additional investigation. We all agreed the next crew should be aware; and a log entry should be entered for tracking purposes. I thought Maintenance should at least check the areas we don't have any access to. When Maintenance arrived; the first thing they asked was if we had any Hazmat. One of the employees in Operations discovered a cargo container with leaking Hazmat. A battery had leaked onto plastic; causing the smell. One of the shipping pallets was broken. We went outside and determined that it indeed was the exact odor. The ground crew unloaded all of the cargo for the inspection of the area around the damaged Hazmat. No traces were discovered. Everyone involved went the extra step to ensure the safety of the outbound aircraft. We stayed an extra couple of hours to help as much as we could.
B767 flight crew reported fumes on flight deck on descent for landing. Post flight Maintenance reported Hazmat cargo spill in cargo compartment.