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A320 pilot reported 'dirty sock smell' detected by first officer in the cockpit and flight attendants in the cabin.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1570862 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201808 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZAB.ARTCC |
| State Reference | NM |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | Mixed |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | A320 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Air Conditioning and Pressurization Pack |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness |
Narrative:
We were level at 36;000 feet. And deviating for thunderstorms approaching the RNAV arrival and the first officer noticed dirty sock smell. No change in power setting was noted and both packs were being fed by its respective engine. I called the flight attendants and wanting not to prompt them asked if everything was okay. The a flight attendant immediately responded that it smelled like 'dank foot.' I also began smelling dirty sock at this point. We donned our oxygen masks and after confirming no smoke or sign of fire was present ran the 'elimination of odors in the cockpit/cabin' procedure in [flight manual]. The flight attendants indicated that they first smelled the dirty sock smell in the aft cabin. Per the procedure we turned off pack 2 and waited 5 minutes. The smell dissipated both in the cockpit and in the cabin.we decided to continue to destination. At the top of descent with a power reduction to flight idle a faint dirty sock smell returned. We again donned our oxygen masks. Since we previously confirmed that pack 2 was causing a dirty sock smell we chose not to attempt to cycle pack 2 on and pack 1 off. The flight attendants also stated that there was a dirty sock smell in the cabin. Due to our proximity to our destination we continued our descent and landing as planned. I took off my oxygen mask on the approach at approximately 1;000 feet. To facilitate a better sight picture for landing. At that time I again smelled strong dirty sock smell. After landing we turned off pack 1 and monitored cabin temperatures. At the gate and after engine shutdown I opened the cockpit window. Neither the first officer nor I experienced any symptoms. One flight attendant reported 'tingling' in their throat. No passengers reported symptoms or requested medical attention. A detailed logbook entry was made and the cabin smoke/fumes form was completed.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A320 pilot reported 'dirty sock smell' detected by First Officer in the cockpit and Flight Attendants in the cabin.
Narrative: We were level at 36;000 feet. and deviating for thunderstorms approaching the RNAV arrival and the First Officer noticed dirty sock smell. No change in power setting was noted and both packs were being fed by its respective engine. I called the flight attendants and wanting not to prompt them asked if everything was okay. The A Flight Attendant immediately responded that it smelled like 'dank foot.' I also began smelling dirty sock at this point. We donned our Oxygen masks and after confirming no smoke or sign of fire was present ran the 'Elimination of odors in the cockpit/cabin' procedure in [flight manual]. The flight attendants indicated that they first smelled the dirty sock smell in the aft cabin. Per the procedure we turned off Pack 2 and waited 5 minutes. The smell dissipated both in the cockpit and in the cabin.We decided to continue to destination. At the top of descent with a power reduction to flight idle a faint dirty sock smell returned. We again donned our oxygen masks. Since we previously confirmed that pack 2 was causing a dirty sock smell we chose not to attempt to cycle Pack 2 on and Pack 1 off. The flight attendants also stated that there was a dirty sock smell in the cabin. Due to our proximity to our destination we continued our descent and landing as planned. I took off my oxygen mask on the approach at approximately 1;000 feet. to facilitate a better sight picture for landing. At that time I again smelled strong dirty sock smell. After landing we turned off Pack 1 and monitored cabin temperatures. At the gate and after engine shutdown I opened the cockpit window. Neither the First Officer nor I experienced any symptoms. One flight attendant reported 'tingling' in their throat. No passengers reported symptoms or requested medical attention. A detailed logbook entry was made and the cabin smoke/fumes form was completed.
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.