Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Physiological - Other; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
General Physical Injury / Incapacitation; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
During takeoff and climb cockpit crew smelled a musty and dirty odor; very distinctive. As flight progressed the odor was not smelled anymore; [and] we could not remember how long it lasted since we were busy during climbout. Actually; we were very busy for most of the flight due to ride conditions; ATC communications; arrival and approach briefings; etc. At the end we sort of forgot the odor for few minutes until during approach and landing phase when we perceived the odor again but this time less apparent; or not as noticeable. After landing; Captain asked the 'A' Flight Attendant if she perceived the odor described above and she said that she smelled it during final approach and landing but could not remember smelling it during takeoff. 'B' Flight Attendant; said that during takeoff the dirty and musty smell was very noticeable and that he thought of calling us but since the smell appeared not to be present; he forgot to call it to our attention. However; during descent he started to smell it again. I asked the crew if they felt OK? Up to that moment; everyone did not showed any indications of being sick. No passenger complained of any symptoms during deplaning; however; a deadhead Captain from another airline suggested that he also noticed a foul smell; but did not complain of any sickness. The Captain decided to report the event to Maintenance Control and went to the podium to make the telephone call to Dispatch and Maintenance Control. After that call; the First Officer advised the Captain that the 'A' Flight Attendant had a headache; felt light headed and [had] thrown up two different times. The 'B' Flight Attendant had a headache; felt a burning sensation inside his nostrils; and also felt lightheaded. When Captain asked the First Officer; he also felt lightheaded and a headache. Captain felt lightheaded and had a headache also. Emergency medical attention was given to all four crew members; test revealed higher than normal blood pressures at that time. Medics then suggested that we should be taken to a hospital for further tests. At the hospital blood pressure test were taken and showed normal blood pressure. However; doctors performed a CO exposure test that revealed we were exposed to carbon monoxide; results showed higher than normal amount of CO. Test for TCP were not given because according to the doctors at the hospital; those tests are highly specialized and are only conducted in few parts of the country. They advised us to continue to follow up with our own doctors.We think that the causes are engine oils and hydraulic fluids. Studies have shown that long term low exposure to engine oil and the organophosphates contained therein causes symptoms similar to the ones described above. Even normally operating engine seals can have leakage and over serviced fluid levels causes spills that can affect everyone on board. Maintenance should be checking faulty oil seals; prevent over servicing engine oils and hydraulic fluids. Company should investigate and invest on oils less toxic; oils that does not contain TCP's but instead tri-isopropyl phenyl phosphate.
An EMB-190 crew became ill following prolonged exposure to a musty; dirty odor and paramedics detected high blood pressure. Later at the hospital high carbon monoxide levels were detected.