Flybe 145 returns with fumes in the cabin
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Flybe 145 returns with fumes in the cabin
"Strange odour" forces flight back to the runway
A plane had to make an emergency landing after fumes leaked into the cabin shortly after take-off from Birmingham International Airport. The Flybe service to Stuttgart with 24 passengers on board had only been airborne for a short time yesterday when crew noticed a "strange odour" in the cabin.
It is the third time this year this has happened on the budget airline's Birmingham flights. The two previous incidents were on the Belfast route. In February crew had to put on oxygen masks and turn back after fumes leaked 15 minutes into the flight. And in July two stewardesses collapsed and five of their colleagues were taken to hospital when they became ill.
All three incidents happened on the same fleet of British Aerospace 146s. Flybe has said it will be withdrawing the 16 planes from service by next February. Staff have claimed that in addition to the three reported leaks, there have been seven other similar incidents in the last 15 months. After the last two incidents some Flybe staff refused to fly on the 146s saying their health was being put at risk.
A spokeswoman for Flybe said the flight turned back when "an unpleasant odour and high temperatures" were reported in the cabin. "The safety of our passengers is of the utmost importance to Flybe and we apologise for any inconvenience caused to their journey this afternoon".
(The Birmingham News, Thursday 15th November 2007)
Interesting that the story, on page 4 of a local newspaper, seems more factual, and the reporting of a higher standard, than in the national tabloid press!
Interesting also that Flybe do not seem to have mentioned the safety of the crew in the same breath as that of the passengers - or are they regarded as expendable?
A plane had to make an emergency landing after fumes leaked into the cabin shortly after take-off from Birmingham International Airport. The Flybe service to Stuttgart with 24 passengers on board had only been airborne for a short time yesterday when crew noticed a "strange odour" in the cabin.
It is the third time this year this has happened on the budget airline's Birmingham flights. The two previous incidents were on the Belfast route. In February crew had to put on oxygen masks and turn back after fumes leaked 15 minutes into the flight. And in July two stewardesses collapsed and five of their colleagues were taken to hospital when they became ill.
All three incidents happened on the same fleet of British Aerospace 146s. Flybe has said it will be withdrawing the 16 planes from service by next February. Staff have claimed that in addition to the three reported leaks, there have been seven other similar incidents in the last 15 months. After the last two incidents some Flybe staff refused to fly on the 146s saying their health was being put at risk.
A spokeswoman for Flybe said the flight turned back when "an unpleasant odour and high temperatures" were reported in the cabin. "The safety of our passengers is of the utmost importance to Flybe and we apologise for any inconvenience caused to their journey this afternoon".
(The Birmingham News, Thursday 15th November 2007)
Interesting that the story, on page 4 of a local newspaper, seems more factual, and the reporting of a higher standard, than in the national tabloid press!
Interesting also that Flybe do not seem to have mentioned the safety of the crew in the same breath as that of the passengers - or are they regarded as expendable?
Last edited by FougaMagister; 16th Nov 2007 at 21:28.
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Maybe people should get the facts right first.
The aircraft was not a 146, it was a E145.
The smell was not confirmed as fumes - they didn't know what it was hence the decision to return.
No mega emergency - just another example of standard procedure being thrown into the spotlight as a near death drama.
The aircraft was not a 146, it was a E145.
The smell was not confirmed as fumes - they didn't know what it was hence the decision to return.
No mega emergency - just another example of standard procedure being thrown into the spotlight as a near death drama.
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... so much for accurate and factual reporting by the Birmingham News then!
(At least they didn't quote passengers seeing their life flash in front of their eyes!
)
(At least they didn't quote passengers seeing their life flash in front of their eyes!
)
Last edited by FougaMagister; 16th Nov 2007 at 21:31.
Psychophysiological entity
The aircraft involved wasn't a 146 it was a 145!!
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Well, I have heard it has happened on the E145s before but only on this forum........I personally have never 'come across' any problems with fumes on the now Flybe E145s.
One would think however that had it been fumes, the crew and engineers would have known it. The smell was unusual and not familiar so the crew decided it best to return to BHX as a precaution. Not sure why oxygen was used - I suppose this is standard in these situations.
One would think however that had it been fumes, the crew and engineers would have known it. The smell was unusual and not familiar so the crew decided it best to return to BHX as a precaution. Not sure why oxygen was used - I suppose this is standard in these situations.
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My work colleague was actually on board and for her it was far from a routine precautionary return to Birmingham.
After the smell was detected, the crew decided to return to Birmingham but during the return smoke was seen in the cabin AND the Oxygen masks deployed automatically resulting in a full emergency descent to 10000 ft.
On arrival at Birmingham they were met by the airport fire crews.
Maybe thats routine for you guys but not for passengers.
On arrival Flybe supported the passengers very well and explained as much as they could under the circumstances..They were told that there had been a fault on the plane earlier that day but I have no idea if the earlier fault had anything to do with the eventual emergency.
After the smell was detected, the crew decided to return to Birmingham but during the return smoke was seen in the cabin AND the Oxygen masks deployed automatically resulting in a full emergency descent to 10000 ft.
On arrival at Birmingham they were met by the airport fire crews.
Maybe thats routine for you guys but not for passengers.
On arrival Flybe supported the passengers very well and explained as much as they could under the circumstances..They were told that there had been a fault on the plane earlier that day but I have no idea if the earlier fault had anything to do with the eventual emergency.
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Can someone change the sodding thread title..... other online sites are quoting this thread and still claiming it was a 146. 
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ewilliams - Hi, yes it probably would have been scary, I mean I wouldn't be particularly comfortable returning with oxygen masks in use.
But, it was a precautionary measure. There have been no confirmed reports of smoke in cabin however we were not onboard so fully respect the observations of your colleague. A PAN was declared, which whilst not a fully emergency would have meant that local airport services were on standby.
But, it was a precautionary measure. There have been no confirmed reports of smoke in cabin however we were not onboard so fully respect the observations of your colleague. A PAN was declared, which whilst not a fully emergency would have meant that local airport services were on standby.