An A319 pack (air cycle machine) failed after takeoff causing haze and a burning odor throughout the...

Narrative:

After take off and initial climb smelled a 'burn smell like' that got stronger as we climbed; a 'haze type of smoke' (light smoke) appear to come from all vents. No ecams. Lead flight attendant called us to also report more of the same in the cabin. The first officer and I donned the O2 masks. Just when ATC gave us the normal left turn for the departure; (approximately 2;500 ft-3;000 ft). I declare the emergency and asked for an immediate return to the departure airport. I took the controls while the first officer assisted with checklists; programming and PA's. In less than 9 minutes we were safely landing the aircraft on runway 10L. The smell was dissipating together with the smoke. We cleared the runway; stopped the aircraft and airfield rescue and fire fighter (arff) check the aircraft outside; while we verified with flight attendants the conditions in the cabin. Arff gave us the 'all ok' outside; cabin and cockpit still had residual smell and smoke dissipating even more. We continue taxing to the gate. Passengers deplaned. I am grateful for my excellent crew; considering the situation; we were able to bring all 145 passengers and 5 crewmembers safe to the gate and perform an overweight landing with no limits exceeded; and no damage to our equipment. I was later informed that the air cycle machine (acm) had ceased.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An A319 PACK (air cycle machine) failed after takeoff causing haze and a burning odor throughout the aircraft; so an emergency was declared and the flight returned to the departure airport.

Narrative: After take off and initial climb smelled a 'burn smell like' that got stronger as we climbed; a 'haze type of smoke' (light smoke) appear to come from all vents. No ECAMS. Lead Flight Attendant called us to also report more of the same in the cabin. The First Officer and I donned the O2 masks. Just when ATC gave us the normal left turn for the departure; (approximately 2;500 FT-3;000 FT). I declare the emergency and asked for an immediate return to the departure airport. I took the controls while the First Officer assisted with checklists; programming and PA's. In less than 9 minutes we were safely landing the aircraft on Runway 10L. The smell was dissipating together with the smoke. We cleared the runway; stopped the aircraft and Airfield Rescue and Fire Fighter (ARFF) check the aircraft outside; while we verified with flight attendants the conditions in the cabin. ARFF gave us the 'ALL OK' outside; Cabin and Cockpit still had residual smell and smoke dissipating even more. We continue taxing to the gate. Passengers deplaned. I am grateful for my excellent crew; considering the situation; we were able to bring all 145 passengers and 5 crewmembers safe to the gate and perform an overweight landing with no limits exceeded; and no damage to our equipment. I was later informed that the air cycle machine (ACM) had ceased.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1116919
Time
Date	201309
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Dawn
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A319
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Air Conditioning and Pressurization Pack
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

An A319 pack (air cycle machine) failed after takeoff causing haze and a burning odor throughout the aircraft; so an emergency was declared and the flight returned to the departure airport.