Film - One Night Over Sweden - Aircraft Cabin Air Conference 2021
And it’s still happening:
27 October 2023
British Airways- Airbus A321
Registration G-EUXK
Returned to London Gatwick:
‘A BA Euroflyer Airbus A321-200, registration G-EUXK performing flight BA-2646 from London Gatwick,EN (UK) to Malta (Malta), was enroute at FL330 about 140nm southsoutheast of London in French Airspace when the crew decided to return to London due to fumes on board. The aircraft descended to FL320 for the return and landed safely on Gatwick's runway 26L about one hour after departure.
A passenger reported the departure of the aircraft was delayed following an aircraft change and departed with a delay of about 2:15 hours. When the aircraft levelled off at cruise level everyone in the section of the aircraft fell asleep. The passenger woke up again when cabin crew began to clear the cabin for the return. The captain subsequently announced, they were returning to Gatwick. After landing fire engines were surrounding the aircraft, the captain announced emergency services were around because they were still full of fuel, but later announced, they actually had two fume events.
Three other passengers reported they were returning due to fumes in cockpit and cabin.’
https://avherald.com/h?article=510582f0
26 October 2023
Qantaslink/National Jet Systems - Boeing 717
Registration VH-YQT
One crew member taken to hospital:
‘A Qantaslink/National Jet Systems Boeing 717-200, registration VH-YQT performing flight QF-1527 from Canberra,AC to Melbourne,VI (Australia), was on approach to Melbourne when the crew detected an unusual odour on board. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Melbourne's runway 16. Paramedics assessed flight and cabin crew, one cabin crew was taken to a hospital.
The airline reported the pilots did not need any treatment, however, one female cabin crew was taken to hospital for further assessment.’
http://avherald.com/h?article=5104a56f&opt=0
25 October 2024
Iberia - Airbus A330-200
Registration EC-MOY
Smoke in the cabin. Returned to Madrid:
‘An Iberia Airbus A330-200, registration EC-MOY performing flight IB-6673 from Madrid,SP (Spain) to Caracas (Venezuela), was enroute at FL360 about 140nm northwest of Funchal (Portugal) when the crew decided to turn around and return to Madrid reporting possible smoke in the cabin. The aircraft descended to FL180 for the return and landed safely on Madrid's runway 18R about 2 hours after leaving FL360.’
http://avherald.com/h?article=51041612&opt=0
22 October 2023
USA Jet Airlines -McDonnell Douglas MD-88 freighter
Registration N832US
Smoke in the cockpit. Diverted:
‘A USA Jet Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-88 freighter, registration N832US performing flight UJ-832 from El Paso,TX to Louisville,KY (USA) with 3 crew, was enroute at FL370 about 120nm west of Lubbock when the crew decided to divert to Lubbock due to smoke in the cockpit. On final approach to Lubbock the crew reported they were intending to turn off the runway, the smoke had dissipated. The aircraft landed safely on Lubbock's runway 17R, vacated the runway and stopped for an inspection on the taxiway querying emergency services whether they saw any smoke coming out of the back of the aircraft. Emergency services stated there was no smoke, the crew subsequently requested taxi to the apron and advised emergency services, they were now starting the APU and requested immediate information if any smoke became visible.
The aircraft remained on the ground in Lubbock for about 46 hours, then positioned to Laredo,TX (USA) and resumed service about 3.5 hours after landing in Laredo.’
http://avherald.com/h?article=51040812&opt=0
19 October 2023
British Airways- Airbus A320
Registration G-EUUF
Both pilots taken to hospital:
‘A British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUUF performing flight BA-1321 from Newcastle,EN to London Heathrow,EN (UK), was enroute at FL270 when the flight crew donned their oxygen masks after noticing a foul odour in the cockpit. Both flight crew started to feel ill but managed to land the aircraft safely on Heathrow's runway 27L. Both pilots were taken to the medical facilities at the airport for a first assessment for "smoke inhalation" and subsequently taken to a hospital.
The airline reported the aircraft landed safely after a minor technical issue with the aircraft.’
http://avherald.com/h?article=51000a9e&opt=0
13 October 2023
Airblue - Airbus A320
Registration AP-EDA
Returned to Islamabad:
‘An Airblue Airbus A320-200, registration AP-EDA performing flight PA-207 from Islamabad to Karachi (Pakistan), was climbing out of Islamabad's runway 10R when the crew stopped the climb at about 7000 feet reporting smoke in the cockpit and returned the aircraft to Islamabad for a safe landing on runway 10R about 15 minutes after departure.’
http://avherald.com/h?article=50fa9e66&opt=0
12 October 2023
Southwest Airlines - Boeing 737-700 Registration N556WN - Returned to Las Vegas:
‘The airline reported there was an unusual smell on board, maintenance investigated and found no anomaly. A replacement aircraft conducted the flight.
A replacement Boeing 737-700 registration N483WN reached Tulsa with a delay of about 3 hours.
A passenger reported there had been smell of smoke in the cabin.
The FAA reported the crew reported an unusual smell and possibly smoke in the cabin.’
http://avherald.com/h?article=50fc35a3&opt=0
12 October 2023
British Airways - Airbus A321
Registration G-EUUT
Pilots and cabin crew unwell:
‘A British Airways Airbus A320-200, registration G-EUUT performing flight BA-948 from London Heathrow,EN (UK) to Munich (Germany), was descending towards Munich when the crew reported fumes on board, both flight crew as well as cabin crew were feeling unwell. The aircraft continued for landing on runway 26R and taxied to the apron.
According to information The Aviation Herald received both flight crew as well as the cabin crew reported a strange odour on board causing them to feel unwell with teary eyes.
The aircraft is still on the ground in Munich about 34 hours after landing.
The aircraft had suffered a similiar occurrence in 2022, see Report: British Airways A320 at London on Jun 14th 2022, fumes in cockpit affect flight crew.’
http://avherald.com/h?article=50faa1e2&opt=0
Why is it considered acceptable when working in the aviation industry onboard aircraft to be made to feel unwell or taken to hospital after being exposed to fumes in the workplace?
Why aren’t the flying public concerned about being exposed to potentially very harmful toxic fumes onboard aircraft?
There is nothing ‘unusual’ about the smells/odours onboard an aircraft and of course airlines know what is causing it. However, they pretend not to know as shown in some of the fume event reports by the Aviation Herald above. What is worse, is that they continue to deny there is a problem and that long-term detrimental effects to health can occur.
It has been known for decades what causes these so called ‘unusual’ smells/odours - it’s fumes from aircraft oil or hydraulic fluid containing very toxic chemicals which have the potential to cause permanent injury, disease and disability.
Scientists have confirmed there are numerous chemicals involved, in fact over 300 have been identified to date and the effects they can cause to human health have been scientifically proven.
Many of these chemicals can cause mitochondrial dysfunction and hormonal disruption and over 100 are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) which can cause various health issues even at low levels of exposure - particularly when exposure is prolonged or repeated which most certainly is the case for airline crew as well as for passengers who fly frequently.
Airlines and the aviation industry as a whole, need to stop consciously imitating ignorance on this issue and start showing some genuine concern for flight safety and human health.
Their efforts should be focused on finding a suitable solution to stop pilots, cabin crew and passengers from being exposed to toxic fumes.
Filtration of the air onboard aircraft (or eradication of the fumes by some other means) and onboard monitoring of the chemicals must be made a priority.
Where is the U.K.’s CAA on this?
Sadly they are in the denial camp along with the U.K. Government and Airlines.
Unfortunately, finance and industry take precedence over the health of people -
Fact Not Fiction Films - Human Exposure Following Inhalation Exposure To Synthetic Jet Lubricating Oil - Mark Montgomery - 2021 Aircraft Cabin Air Conference Film (5 mins):
Fact Not Fiction Films - Understanding Organophosphates Used In Aviation - 2021 Aircraft Cabin Air Conference Film (10 mins):
In other news, the Global Cabin Air Safety Executive - GCAQE recently released this important information (link below).
If you are ill following a fume event onboard an aircraft or are airline crew repeatedly exposed to low levels of fumes (even though you may not be able to detect them) and are suffering with health issues, please give these documents to your doctor and to any hospital specialists you may be referred to:
Unfortunately, due to to the continued cover-up and scandal surrounding this type of poisoning (known as Aerotoxic Syndrome), most GP’s and Healthcare providers in the U.K. are completely unaware as they have not been informed. Aerotoxic Syndrome has still not been medically recognised with an ICD-10 code which would help victims receive the appropriate care and support they need.
For further information on Aerotoxic Syndrome, useful medical information, testimonies from victims, Aerotoxic legal cases and much more - please visit:
Please sign and share this petition.
Many Thanks.