Return to GLA yesterday with Darth Vader
 

On BA1493 LHR-GLA at 17:20 last week, we were 10 minutes out of GLA when Darth Vader came on and told us we had to return to GLA because the air conditioning had a fault (which also caused the cabin lights to be turned off). Greeted by numerous fire engines on landing, which I suppose is normal procedure. Didn't ask why the oxygen masks. Anyway, if you know who was flying it, you can tell him who he sounded like.

Momo

If the Pax oxygen masks were deployed then it is reasonable to assume that the crew were on oxygen as well!! hence why he prob sounded like Darth Vader while talking through his oxygen mask microphone.

Not PAX
 

Sorry for any ambiguity. PAX masks were not deployed. From the sound, I am just assuming the pilots were wearing masks.

Momo

Oxygen masks on in the cockpit, none in the cabin. Lighting going out and a fast return to base?

Sounds to me like an electrical smoke in the cockpit drill.

Anybody know what really happened?

My parents were on the flight and it scared them a bit. Dad mentioned there was a 35 minute delay in departing intitally, any coincidence?

Just curious to know, to put his mind at rest.

Cheers

JF

Oily smell in flight deck air inbound to GLA. Re-occurred after take-off from GLA. Crew donned masks as per drills and returned to GLA. Aircraft positioned empty GLA-LHR next day for investigation.

Oily smell is usually either leaking seal in engine or cold air unit allowing oil particles into air system.

Either way no risk to aircraft or pax.

Just need to amplify that a bit, Sonic - there is a potential SIGNIFICANT risk to pax and crew due to the composition of modern engine oils and the possible toxic nature of fumes, and all such events are treated as extremely serious.

Another not uncommon cause is overfilling of the oil by maintenance.

jockflyer--The fact that they returned to land and took precautions in the cockpit should provice considerable reassurance.

The system works.TC

For the time they were exposed to any kind of contamination the effect would be negligible. Don't be such a drama queen.:ooh: