ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 229786
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Monday 23 September 2019 |
| Time: | c. 06:43 UTC |
| Type: |  Airbus A320-232 |
| Owner/operator: | British Airways |
| Registration: | G-EUYB |
| MSN: | 3703 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2008 |
| Engine model: | International Aero Engine V2527-A5 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 147 |
| Aircraft damage: | None |
| Category: | Serious incident |
| Location: | London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Zürich-Kloten Airport (ZRH/LSZH) |
| London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) | |
| Investigating agency: | AAIB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
British Airways flight BA709, an Airbus A320, was involved in a fumes incident during a flight from Zürich, Switzerland to London-Heathrow Airport, U.K.
The initial departure from Zurich was uneventful. However, shortly after passing through FL100 the flight crew detected a slight odour on the flight deck. After 30 seconds the smell had gone. The crew discussed further options and agreed to continue the flight.
Having intercepted the ILS at London-Heathrow Airport, as the aircraft passed through 4,000 ft both flight crew detected a sudden, very strong smell. The commander described it as a “manure smell”; “like a field which had just been muck spread”. He described the smell instantly “hitting him” in the back of the throat. There was no smoke and no obvious source of the smell. The co-pilot described it as a “strong sweaty socks” smell. He reported feeling itchy skin around his eyes and a scratchy throat. The commander took control and instructed the co-pilot to put on his oxygen mask. Once the co-pilot was on oxygen and communication was re-established the co-pilot took control whilst the commander donned his oxygen mask.
The commander requested an early hand-over from the approach controller to the tower controller, which was granted. He then made a PAN call to Heathrow Tower; he reported that they had fumes on the flight deck and required a priority landing. The flight crew then selected the landing gear down and landing flap then decelerated to the final approach speed. ATC advised the two aircraft ahead of G-EUYB and one behind to expect a go‑around and then instructed them to go-around in sequence. The flight crew discussed options and agreed the safest course of action was to continue the approach. The aircraft was stable at 1,000 ft agl. The commander elected to use Autoland. He advised ATC that they would vacate onto the parallel taxiway where they would require an inspection from the emergency services. The aircraft landed at 06:44 hrs, vacated the runway at N6 and stopped on Taxiway A.
After shutting down on a taxiway and removing their masks, the co-pilot became incapacitated and the commander felt unwell; both pilots were taken to hospital but released later that day.
AAIB Conclusion
While it has not been possible to positively identify the compound that was responsible for the fumes and odours experienced in G-EUYB, or any of the other recent events, a number of common factors have been identified. The majority of events occurred after the aircraft had been parked or operated in precipitation. The fumes become apparent during the later stages of the descent, sometimes preceded by a minor event during the climb phase. The generation of fumes appears to be transient; they dissipate rapidly and leave no detectable trace. No link between changes to engine power or changes in other system settings and the generation of fumes was identified.
In some cases, the presence of fumes has resulted in physiological reactions which have interfered with a flight crew member’s ability to carry out their normal duties. However, by following the smoke and fume checklist, and donning oxygen masks the flight crew were able to ensure the continued safety of the aircraft.
The aircraft resumed service on September 26, 2019.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. AAIB Final Report: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f16a2ab3a6f405c00b4456c/Airbus_A320-232_G-EUYB_09-20.pdf
2. https://www.bea.aero/en/investigation-reports/notified-events/detail/event/fumee-en-cabine-lors-de-lapproche/
3. https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/g-euyb#223581ec
4. http://avherald.com/h?article=4cd2de19&opt=0
5. http://thebasource.com/british-airways-a320-g-euyb-heathrow-smoke-in-cabin-incident/
6. https://www.aeroinside.com/item/13762/british-airways-a320-at-london-on-sep-23rd-2019-smoke-in-cabin
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 5 December 2012 | G-EUYB | British Airways | 0 | Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (ARN/ESSA) |  |
min |
| Collision with Ground support equipment | ||||||
Media:
The flight crew of an Airbus A320-232 (G-EUYB) detected strong acrid fumes on the flight deck, 23 September 2019.
— AAIB (@aaibgovuk) July 30, 2020
This report reviews five other similar fumes events that have been reported to the AAIB and CAAhttps://t.co/TAEFyez0gb
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 07-Oct-2019 16:14 | harro | Added |
| 07-Oct-2019 16:15 | harro | Updated [Location, Source] |
| 30-Jul-2020 11:19 | harro | Updated [Total occupants, Narrative, Accident report, ] |
| 02-Aug-2020 20:37 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Embed code] |
| 11-Sep-2020 15:38 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Source, Embed code, Narrative] |
| 17-Oct-2020 00:41 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Source, Narrative, Accident report] |
| 22-Oct-2020 17:33 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Source] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation