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B737-700 captain reported a strong odor of 'pyrolized oil' was present in the aircraft on takeoff and descent; and expressed concern about the potential negative health effects.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1524833 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201803 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737-700 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Takeoff |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Air Conditioning and Pressurization Pack |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Instrument |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 424 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor |
Narrative:
On takeoff the aircraft air conditioning system started spewing a strong odor of pyrolized oil. There were no visible signs of smoke. Having been exposed to this numerous times; experience held up to be true that when the engines reduced power; the smell would dissipate. All was fine in cruise; but in descent the strong foul smelling odor returned. I used my oxygen mask on descent just to be safe. The odor was strong when a status check was made at approximately 10;000 feet. The odor continued in varying states of intensity until landing. The B flight attendant remarked to both [maintenance] and I that it was 'noxious' in the aft galley. Dispatch wanted me to assist with a diagnostic engine run. I refused due to being exposed to over two hours of tricresyl phosphates in oil fumes. It was later revealed that the aircraft had had an engine wash the night prior. There may be an unknown connection between these two events.a [preventative measure would be a] thorough checklist procedure to track down and isolate pyrolized oil in the air conditioning system. This is a known industry problem that nobody wants to do anything about. Engine and airframe manufacturers ignore. Regulatory agencies ignore and airlines ignore. Vaporized engine oil is a proven nerve agent that causes numerous debilities.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B737-700 Captain reported a strong odor of 'pyrolized oil' was present in the aircraft on takeoff and descent; and expressed concern about the potential negative health effects.
Narrative: On takeoff the aircraft air conditioning system started spewing a strong odor of pyrolized oil. There were no visible signs of smoke. Having been exposed to this numerous times; experience held up to be true that when the engines reduced power; the smell would dissipate. All was fine in cruise; but in descent the strong foul smelling odor returned. I used my oxygen mask on descent just to be safe. The odor was strong when a status check was made at approximately 10;000 feet. The odor continued in varying states of intensity until landing. The B Flight Attendant remarked to both [Maintenance] and I that it was 'noxious' in the aft galley. Dispatch wanted me to assist with a diagnostic engine run. I refused due to being exposed to over two hours of tricresyl phosphates in oil fumes. It was later revealed that the aircraft had had an engine wash the night prior. There may be an unknown connection between these two events.A [preventative measure would be a] thorough checklist procedure to track down and isolate pyrolized oil in the air conditioning system. This is a known industry problem that nobody wants to do anything about. Engine and airframe manufacturers ignore. Regulatory agencies ignore and airlines ignore. Vaporized engine oil is a proven nerve agent that causes numerous debilities.
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.