Narrative:

When I got to the back of the aircraft; I emptied the trash and the recycle rubbish in the waste carts. As I did; both flight attendant-B and I almost simultaneously smelled something burning. We began to sniff around to find the source of the smell. I called the captain to say that there was a strong burning smell in the aft galley. We were told to find the source of the smell. Flight attendant-B put things away; while I sniffed and moved things in the area. I moved an ice bucket and smelled the odor stronger. I looked up at the right coffeemaker and noticed the power light was on. I turned it off; and told flight attendant-B. After the coffeemaker was turned off; the smell began to dissipate I called the flight deck and told them that we found the source. The captain said we were diverting. He told us to clean up the aircraft. We began to do that. Flight attendant-B stayed in the back to man the area. The captain made the briefing that; 'the flight attendant's smelled smoke and that we would be landing immediately.' I went to the front to collect the meals. As I was collecting from row 4; I noticed the nrsa (non-revenue space available) mainline flight attendant who'd been sitting was up collecting meal trays and putting them in the cart. She said; 'I'm here to help.' I gave her a trash bag and told her to collect service items beginning at row 10. I started at row 5. Flight attendant-B stayed in the aft galley to man the burning area. I made a briefing regarding compliance. I did a compliance check and took my seat in the L1 jumpseat. Once in my seat; I made a briefing asking everyone to turn off and stow away all personnel electronic devices and to remove headsets; so they could hear any instructions the crew would give. When we landed; the captain told me we were going to the gate and that the firefighters were coming on board to go to the galley for an inspection. I asked if we were going to deplane. He said no. I made an announcement that all passengers should remain seated while the firefighters came on board. They came on board; and along with the captain and flight attendant-B they inspected the aft galley; where we'd smelled the burning odor. I remained in the forward cabin. During this time; the captain told me to have the passengers deplane. I made an announcement asking them to take their small carry-ons and to deplane to the immediate gate area; asking them not to leave the immediate gate area; so they can stay informed about the status of the flight. About two minutes later; the captain made an announcement; instructing passengers to take all of their belongings. Some passengers came back to retrieve their items. When the three firefighters left; they told me the area around the coffeemaker was definitely hot. I got their names and titles from one firefighter and they all left. The mechanic came on board and he and the captain spent quite a while inspecting the aft galley. Later; they explained everything to the crew and collectively we made the decision to continue on with the flight.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: EMB170 Flight Attendant reports a burning smell in the aft galley and suspecting the coffee maker; turns it off. Captain elects to divert to the nearest suitable airport. No further problems are encountered and after maintenance inspection the flight continues.

Narrative: When I got to the back of the aircraft; I emptied the trash and the recycle rubbish in the waste carts. As I did; both Flight Attendant-B and I almost simultaneously smelled something burning. We began to sniff around to find the source of the smell. I called the Captain to say that there was a strong burning smell in the aft galley. We were told to find the source of the smell. Flight Attendant-B put things away; while I sniffed and moved things in the area. I moved an ice bucket and smelled the odor stronger. I looked up at the right coffeemaker and noticed the power light was on. I turned it off; and told Flight Attendant-B. After the coffeemaker was turned off; the smell began to dissipate I called the flight deck and told them that we found the source. The Captain said we were diverting. He told us to clean up the aircraft. We began to do that. Flight Attendant-B stayed in the back to man the area. The Captain made the briefing that; 'the flight attendant's smelled smoke and that we would be landing immediately.' I went to the front to collect the meals. As I was collecting from row 4; I noticed the NRSA (Non-Revenue Space Available) mainline Flight Attendant who'd been sitting was up collecting meal trays and putting them in the cart. She said; 'I'm here to help.' I gave her a trash bag and told her to collect service items beginning at row 10. I started at row 5. Flight Attendant-B stayed in the aft galley to man the burning area. I made a briefing regarding compliance. I did a compliance check and took my seat in the L1 jumpseat. Once in my seat; I made a briefing asking everyone to turn off and stow away all personnel electronic devices and to remove headsets; so they could hear any instructions the crew would give. When we landed; the Captain told me we were going to the gate and that the firefighters were coming on board to go to the galley for an inspection. I asked if we were going to deplane. He said no. I made an announcement that all passengers should remain seated while the firefighters came on board. They came on board; and along with the Captain and Flight Attendant-B they inspected the aft galley; where we'd smelled the burning odor. I remained in the forward cabin. During this time; the Captain told me to have the passengers deplane. I made an announcement asking them to take their small carry-ons and to deplane to the immediate gate area; asking them not to leave the immediate gate area; so they can stay informed about the status of the flight. About two minutes later; the Captain made an announcement; instructing passengers to take all of their belongings. Some passengers came back to retrieve their items. When the three firefighters left; they told me the area around the coffeemaker was definitely hot. I got their names and titles from one firefighter and they all left. The mechanic came on board and he and the Captain spent quite a while inspecting the aft galley. Later; they explained everything to the crew and collectively we made the decision to continue on with the flight.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.