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B777 captain reported acrid cabin odor during cruise most likely due to sulfur dioxide gas from a volcano eruption in the vicinity.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1717068 |
| Time | |
| Date | 202001 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 232 Flight Crew Total 28793 Flight Crew Type 2870 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown |
Narrative:
While in cruise at FL350 we received [a] sigmet at xa:32 from dispatch for volcanic ash. Estimated ash top FL200. At xa:48 we received sigmet 2 from ZZZ center; for same volcanic ash; also from surface to FL200. Approximately 100 [miles] east of waypoint at xb:15 some of the flight attendants started to complain of an acrid odor in the aft galley. We ran the volcanic ash non-normal procedure. It appeared that we did not fly into actual volcanic ash after referencing the checklist. It is possible we did enter a sulfur dioxide gas cloud; or less likely; in my opinion; into an ozone layer. Out of an abundance of caution; I turned off both recirculation fans and requested a climb to FL370 which ATC granted. I notified ATC; and then contacted dispatch on the sat phone. I also directed the purser to wake one of the relief pilots; and had her inspect the cabin for odor and fumes. It was decided that continuing on was prudent; the acrid smell was not increasing in intensity; and lasted for approximately 45 minutes. None of the passengers complained of any discomfort; and apparently were unaware of any odor or fumes. After landing I briefed a technician and a flight manager that my best guess was it was probably a sulfur dioxide gas cloud associated with the volcano eruption.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B777 Captain reported acrid cabin odor during cruise most likely due to sulfur dioxide gas from a volcano eruption in the vicinity.
Narrative: While in cruise at FL350 we received [a] Sigmet at XA:32 from Dispatch for volcanic ash. Estimated ash top FL200. At XA:48 we received Sigmet 2 from ZZZ Center; for same volcanic ash; also from surface to FL200. Approximately 100 [miles] east of waypoint at XB:15 some of the Flight Attendants started to complain of an acrid odor in the aft galley. We ran the Volcanic Ash Non-Normal procedure. It appeared that we did not fly into actual volcanic ash after referencing the checklist. It is possible we did enter a sulfur dioxide gas cloud; or less likely; in my opinion; into an ozone layer. Out of an abundance of caution; I turned off both recirculation fans and requested a climb to FL370 which ATC granted. I notified ATC; and then contacted Dispatch on the Sat phone. I also directed the Purser to wake one of the Relief Pilots; and had her inspect the cabin for odor and fumes. It was decided that continuing on was prudent; the acrid smell was not increasing in intensity; and lasted for approximately 45 minutes. None of the passengers complained of any discomfort; and apparently were unaware of any odor or fumes. After landing I briefed a Technician and a Flight Manager that my best guess was it was probably a sulfur dioxide gas cloud associated with the volcano eruption.
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.