Narrative:

During the approach phase; at approximately 6;000 ft; a strong sour astringent smell suddenly filled the cockpit. The crew discussed the issue and went on 100% oxygen and established intercom communication. Slowing and configuration proceeded normally with a prompt left base turn for a tight pattern. A decision was made to proceed with a CAT 2 auto-land approach. Approach control was advised of the auto-land intention in an effort to ensure the critical areas would be kept clear. The flight was cleared for an ILS approach. On final approach; I observed one aircraft still in position on the runway and numerous aircraft in the run-up block and holding short of the runway. With the critical areas possibly obstructed and limited crew visibility with the full face oxygen masks; I elected to remove my oxygen mask and turn off both packs at 1;000 ft. Then the first officer came off oxygen. A normal landing followed and the packs remained off. While waiting for a gate; approximately ten minutes; I conferred with the flight attendants on the cabin intercom. They had also smelled the strong odor and other than having a hot cabin; were doing ok. Our indications showed approximately 85 degrees in the cabin. While on the taxiway; dispatch; line maintenance and maintenance control were advised of what occurred. The line maintenance supervisor and one colleague boarded the aircraft promptly upon arrival at the gate to discuss the issue. When he asked point blank; 'was it the dirty gym sock smell;' I replied; 'yes.' he immediately said the airplane was hard down for the night and would probably take until late the next afternoon until they would be done with it. When talking with dispatch; they were eager to know if I would be flying an outbound flight. I had dispatch initiate a medical phone conference call. The medical organization gathered data and symptoms from the crew then established a referral to a hospital of their selection. The vice president of flight operations directed dispatch to have the station manager contact the paramedics to have the crew transported to the hospital and that we were on medical status. While on the jet way after completing conversations with dispatch; an air quality report was completed. A review of the prior logbook showed three similar write-ups in the previous ten days. The gate agent meeting the aircraft commented on what a strong stinky smell the aircraft had. During the one hour period after arrival while crew waited for transport to the hospital; she became concerned if her health was compromised by breathing the foul air during her brief time at the aircraft. While on the ramp; I was advised by two different individuals that a hydraulic leak had been found on the aircraft. The airport hazmat team had taken samples from the aircraft and submitted them for analysis. After vital signs were taken by paramedics; the crew was transported to a local hospital by the fire department. At the hospital emergency room; the crew was checked in and examined individually by the medical staff. The doctors were in consultation with the cdc and poison center. Four blood sample vials were taken from each crew member. Two were submitted by the hospital to their lab and the other two given to each crew member. The final diagnosis of the two attending physicians; in collaboration; was 'toxic effects solvents.' the special instructions given were; 'you have been exposed to a substance called tricresyl phosphate. Acutely; you should have no ill effects. There are reports of delayed neurological problems such as numbness; tingling and muscle spasms. You should keep a symptom diary over the next month and report to your doctor. You should also discuss with the occupational health specialist for your company.' additionally the medical instructions state; 'you have been exposed to chemical fumes. This may cause symptoms of cough; shortness of breath; throat irritation or upper chest pain. The treatment is to breathe fresh air.' guidance on what symptoms to expect and watch out for; home care instructions; and follow up information with a physician are also provided in the hospital discharge instructions. I arranged crew transportation to a hotel; slept several hours; conferred with our contract medical organization again and arranged transportation to the airport for deadhead to domicile. I received a call from my chief pilot that said he had some information about fumes in aircraft. A company representative talked with me for approximately two hours about the toxic fumes in aircraft issue.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An A319 crew reported a strong; sour; astringent smell suddenly filled the aircraft a 6;000 FT on approach. After landing the crew was transported to the hospital where tricresyl phosphate was found in their blood samples.

Narrative: During the approach phase; at approximately 6;000 FT; a strong sour astringent smell suddenly filled the cockpit. The crew discussed the issue and went on 100% oxygen and established intercom communication. Slowing and configuration proceeded normally with a prompt left base turn for a tight pattern. A decision was made to proceed with a CAT 2 auto-land approach. Approach Control was advised of the auto-land intention in an effort to ensure the critical areas would be kept clear. The flight was cleared for an ILS approach. On final approach; I observed one aircraft still in position on the runway and numerous aircraft in the run-up block and holding short of the runway. With the critical areas possibly obstructed and limited crew visibility with the full face oxygen masks; I elected to remove my oxygen mask and turn off both packs at 1;000 FT. Then the First Officer came off oxygen. A normal landing followed and the packs remained off. While waiting for a gate; approximately ten minutes; I conferred with the Flight Attendants on the cabin intercom. They had also smelled the strong odor and other than having a hot cabin; were doing OK. Our indications showed approximately 85 degrees in the cabin. While on the taxiway; Dispatch; Line Maintenance and Maintenance Control were advised of what occurred. The Line Maintenance Supervisor and one colleague boarded the aircraft promptly upon arrival at the gate to discuss the issue. When he asked point blank; 'Was it the dirty gym sock smell;' I replied; 'Yes.' He immediately said the airplane was hard down for the night and would probably take until late the next afternoon until they would be done with it. When talking with Dispatch; they were eager to know if I would be flying an outbound flight. I had Dispatch initiate a medical phone conference call. The medical organization gathered data and symptoms from the crew then established a referral to a hospital of their selection. The Vice President of Flight Operations directed Dispatch to have the Station Manager contact the paramedics to have the crew transported to the hospital and that we were on medical status. While on the jet way after completing conversations with Dispatch; an air quality report was completed. A review of the prior logbook showed three similar write-ups in the previous ten days. The Gate Agent meeting the aircraft commented on what a strong stinky smell the aircraft had. During the one hour period after arrival while crew waited for transport to the hospital; she became concerned if her health was compromised by breathing the foul air during her brief time at the aircraft. While on the ramp; I was advised by two different individuals that a hydraulic leak had been found on the aircraft. The airport HAZMAT team had taken samples from the aircraft and submitted them for analysis. After vital signs were taken by paramedics; the crew was transported to a local hospital by the Fire Department. At the hospital emergency room; the crew was checked in and examined individually by the medical staff. The doctors were in consultation with the CDC and Poison Center. Four blood sample vials were taken from each crew member. Two were submitted by the hospital to their lab and the other two given to each crew member. The final diagnosis of the two attending physicians; in collaboration; was 'toxic effects solvents.' The special instructions given were; 'You have been exposed to a substance called tricresyl phosphate. Acutely; you should have no ill effects. There are reports of delayed neurological problems such as numbness; tingling and muscle spasms. You should keep a symptom diary over the next month and report to your Doctor. You should also discuss with the Occupational Health Specialist for your company.' Additionally the medical instructions state; 'You have been exposed to chemical fumes. This may cause symptoms of cough; shortness of breath; throat irritation or upper chest pain. The treatment is to breathe fresh air.' Guidance on what symptoms to expect and watch out for; home care instructions; and follow up information with a Physician are also provided in the hospital discharge instructions. I arranged crew transportation to a hotel; slept several hours; conferred with our contract medical organization again and arranged transportation to the airport for deadhead to domicile. I received a call from my Chief Pilot that said he had some information about fumes in aircraft. A company representative talked with me for approximately two hours about the toxic fumes in aircraft issue.

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.