Poo smell in the A330 flight deck after toilet used.
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Poo smell in the A330 flight deck after toilet used.
Why does the smell in the front toilet make its way into the flight deck so effectively?
Is there any way of temporarily or permanently fixing this disgusting problem?
OK I know lots of guys will think this is a great opportunity for a joke but could anyone with a serious insight please reply too.
Is there any way of temporarily or permanently fixing this disgusting problem?
OK I know lots of guys will think this is a great opportunity for a joke but could anyone with a serious insight please reply too.
One can always make the time for important matters. I am sure you make time for the doctor/dentist/family issues etc., so why not make the effort to find time to sort this out.
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Perhaps I have been too cryptic.
I have in the past asked engineers about this problem and have had mostly inconclusive replies.
Sometimes they just don't speak english well enough to have a fruitful discussion and that is fine as this is not a country where English is the primary language.
At other times I speak with native english speakers.
The problem occurs on our A332, A343 and A345 types and on almost all flights so I suspect that it is either a design fault or a systemic maintenance system fault. Either way this might explain why the engineers I have asked have not been forthcoming with clear answers.
When I try to probe more I am told that they can't spend the time to bring me diagrams etc as they have multiple aircraft to dispatch and are understaffed. This I believe. I am not permitted to visit the hangar without special clearance and am not going to wade through the red tape required and give up a day off to do that for a problem that is not a safety issue.
This problem has been present for at least 8 years and possibly much longer.
I don't know if it is a problem in other airlines.
I hope that some pprune reader out there might have an insight.
I respectfully ask for information, not further chastisement.
I have in the past asked engineers about this problem and have had mostly inconclusive replies.
Sometimes they just don't speak english well enough to have a fruitful discussion and that is fine as this is not a country where English is the primary language.
At other times I speak with native english speakers.
The problem occurs on our A332, A343 and A345 types and on almost all flights so I suspect that it is either a design fault or a systemic maintenance system fault. Either way this might explain why the engineers I have asked have not been forthcoming with clear answers.
When I try to probe more I am told that they can't spend the time to bring me diagrams etc as they have multiple aircraft to dispatch and are understaffed. This I believe. I am not permitted to visit the hangar without special clearance and am not going to wade through the red tape required and give up a day off to do that for a problem that is not a safety issue.
This problem has been present for at least 8 years and possibly much longer.
I don't know if it is a problem in other airlines.
I hope that some pprune reader out there might have an insight.
I respectfully ask for information, not further chastisement.
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It may be a cracked or damaged waste water line.
Have someone to visually inspect the lines, And also the fan has to be working in order to extract the odours so make certain that it works and that there is no blockage in the extract duct.
And make sure that the toilet is properly cleaned and fumigated, Thats all I could think about.
Have someone to visually inspect the lines, And also the fan has to be working in order to extract the odours so make certain that it works and that there is no blockage in the extract duct.
And make sure that the toilet is properly cleaned and fumigated, Thats all I could think about.
Last edited by flame_bringer; 24th Jul 2012 at 11:26.
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In the mean time before this problem is solved, could you not hang one of those car air fresheners over the side stick, like the thin type that hangs from the rear view mirror i.e the Fuzzy Bear or Whinnie the Phoo (no joke intended)
Daz
Daz
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The only time I ever got a smell off the fwd loo is when the F/O I was with had a violent bout of diarrhea. The smell was so bad that business class were complaining. I couldn't keep my face straight......Imodium saved the day.
Otherwise toilet smells are not of concern where I am.
Otherwise toilet smells are not of concern where I am.
While reading this had the same thought.... grounded has the solution (nice unintentional pun there with the name btw!) 
Ask the CC for a few coffee bags (still in foils) whenever it happens open one and hang it nearby, it helps. (Of course only works with 'pillow packs') I do recall the same issue on other types as well.
It could also have something to do with the pax profile/catering being served... if you fly to/from destinations which partake in foods which are particularly fragrant, you will notice more - ahem- 'aftereffects' on those flights than on others. Not generalising but spicy foods/curries/stews with lots of garlic will do it every time... you could also use the trick of some scented lotion up the nose... works for me!!
Ask the CC for a few coffee bags (still in foils) whenever it happens open one and hang it nearby, it helps. (Of course only works with 'pillow packs') I do recall the same issue on other types as well.
It could also have something to do with the pax profile/catering being served... if you fly to/from destinations which partake in foods which are particularly fragrant, you will notice more - ahem- 'aftereffects' on those flights than on others. Not generalising but spicy foods/curries/stews with lots of garlic will do it every time... you could also use the trick of some scented lotion up the nose... works for me!!
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I have been working for an airline operating A340, A330 for more than 15 years never come across such problem, it could be due to the aircraft configuration as all this fleet is 3 classes. The forward toilet always used by first class pax and flight deck crew and it is always tidy & clean. I would thought this is depends on who is using the loo and how they look after it. As the guys said it could be due to system leak and faulty extract fan.
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I flew the A330/340 many years ago and remember this issue.
This type of problem can't happen on the 747 classic as pack 1 provides the air to the cockpit and it's fresh with no interference from recirculated air. The 747-400 however does receive recirculated air and on some occasions gets some odd smells usually from fwd cargo I believe. It's interesting that the 747-8 has returned to the pack 1 fresh air system like the classic.
So yes I believe it's a design issue on the A330/340 and some combination of pressure differentials ends up forcing toilet air into the cockpit.
I believe the 777 has a positive pressure cockpit designed to prevent smoke entering from the outside, however I don't know if the 777 cockpit receives recirculated air or not. Perhaps to trouble shoot flood the A330/340 toilet with smoke of some kind and you may see where it enters the cockpit the problem is the problem may not be repeatable on the ground?
Good luck.
This type of problem can't happen on the 747 classic as pack 1 provides the air to the cockpit and it's fresh with no interference from recirculated air. The 747-400 however does receive recirculated air and on some occasions gets some odd smells usually from fwd cargo I believe. It's interesting that the 747-8 has returned to the pack 1 fresh air system like the classic.
So yes I believe it's a design issue on the A330/340 and some combination of pressure differentials ends up forcing toilet air into the cockpit.
I believe the 777 has a positive pressure cockpit designed to prevent smoke entering from the outside, however I don't know if the 777 cockpit receives recirculated air or not. Perhaps to trouble shoot flood the A330/340 toilet with smoke of some kind and you may see where it enters the cockpit the problem is the problem may not be repeatable on the ground?
Good luck.
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smelly toilets
give the toilet a couple of flushes, the vacuum in the bowl should suck out all the smells.
if the plug in the hand washing basin plug is left out open the drain pipe will have a flow of air along it to the drain mast.
well it did on Boeings.
the coffee bag is a good cure for smells.
if the plug in the hand washing basin plug is left out open the drain pipe will have a flow of air along it to the drain mast.
well it did on Boeings.
the coffee bag is a good cure for smells.
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As SLF, I can confirm this issue also exists in the passenger compartment on smaller Airbus models, too, like A320. I have experience this myself on several UA flights. Not a pleasant experience. Have not noticed it on A340 or A380, and never on any Boeing aircraft.
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The lower recirculation fans on 747-400 deliver directly to the fligjt deck. I have seen and smelt whem a rupture vac waste line aft of the lower recirc fan was delivering a lovely odour straight to the flight deck. As for A330 I have not seen or heard of this. I would be inclined to demand having the toilet extraction filter changed and the toilet waste gate and attached plumbing inspected and leak checked. Also note if its only directly after flushing or a consistant smell.....
I have tickets on both of those types.
GP
I have tickets on both of those types.
GP