 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
B737NG captain reported diverting to an alternate airport after passengers complained of a 'strong caustic chemical smell'.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1382285 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201608 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Type 881 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor |
Narrative:
On descent between 8000 and 10000 feet we were notified of a strong caustic chemical smell between rows 9 and 10. It was causing distress to passengers in those rows with some complaining of burning eyes and throats. We [advised ATC] to get priority handling [to an alternate] which was less than 10 min away and [the] closest airport. After landing we were informed that the smell had somewhat dissipated. Airport rescue and fire fighting (arff) crews met the aircraft and we had them check the cargo compartment since some passengers had complained of a burning smell in the back. No indications at all on flight deck. After being parked for a few minutes the smell came back much stronger and throughout the cabin and up to cockpit. Arff had closed the cargo and [we] were clear so we opted to move onto our gate to get passengers off as quickly as possible.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B737NG Captain reported diverting to an alternate airport after passengers complained of a 'strong caustic chemical smell'.
Narrative: On descent between 8000 and 10000 feet we were notified of a strong caustic chemical smell between rows 9 and 10. It was causing distress to passengers in those rows with some complaining of burning eyes and throats. We [advised ATC] to get priority handling [to an alternate] which was less than 10 min away and [the] closest airport. After landing we were informed that the smell had somewhat dissipated. Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) crews met the aircraft and we had them check the cargo compartment since some passengers had complained of a burning smell in the back. No indications at all on flight deck. After being parked for a few minutes the smell came back much stronger and throughout the cabin and up to cockpit. ARFF had closed the cargo and [we] were clear so we opted to move onto our gate to get passengers off as quickly as possible.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.