Alaska flts diverted due to strong smell
Jun 11, 2019, 11:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 490
Alaska flts diverted due to strong smell
ok, I just read of another instance of an Alaska airbus diverting due to strong smells in the cabin. Within the last 6 months, this must be the 4 or 5th case of an Alaska airbus diverting for this reason. I believe the original cases described the smell as “strong smell of plastic burning”. Am I the only person who has noticed this pattern? Facts come first so I’m not suggesting a common cause, but this pattern caught my eye. Anyone have any insights?
Search “Alaska flight diverted smell” in google news and you’ll see the various events
Search “Alaska flight diverted smell” in google news and you’ll see the various events
Last edited by ASA_1; Jun 11, 2019 at 11:44 am
Jun 11, 2019, 12:15 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG, 1MM
Posts: 377
There were a few incidents mentioned early this year that involved mainly the Airbus though I do recall a 737-900 with something similar. It was mentioned that it smelled like plastic burning, not sure if they ever found the precise cause. However, there are over 11,000 daily flights that Alaska runs; 4-5 incidents somewhat pales to that. I am not saying that it should not be investigated and you never want to see someone become sick but I would not necessarily call it a pattern. The only smells I have noticed is that of a new 737 that is flying for the first time, or fellow passengers that have personal hygiene low on their priorities. Maybe someone else has more insight to this.
Jun 11, 2019, 12:56 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
I could be wrong but I don't think it's that many. There was an AS and an AC a320 flight that made the news earlier this year with reports of burning or strong "plastic like" smells
Jun 11, 2019, 12:58 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 490
Jun 11, 2019, 1:00 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 490
There were a few incidents mentioned early this year that involved mainly the Airbus though I do recall a 737-900 with something similar. It was mentioned that it smelled like plastic burning, not sure if they ever found the precise cause. However, there are over 11,000 daily flights that Alaska runs; 4-5 incidents somewhat pales to that. I am not saying that it should not be investigated and you never want to see someone become sick but I would not necessarily call it a pattern. The only smells I have noticed is that of a new 737 that is flying for the first time, or fellow passengers that have personal hygiene low on their priorities. Maybe someone else has more insight to this.
Jun 11, 2019, 2:01 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,626
Alex, I'll take Airplane Trivia for $2000.
And the answer is "A strong burnt plastic-like smell."
"What happens to spilled polenta that drips into an airplane convection oven after several hundred heating cycles?"
And the answer is "A strong burnt plastic-like smell."
"What happens to spilled polenta that drips into an airplane convection oven after several hundred heating cycles?"
Jun 11, 2019, 2:11 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: AS MVP, HH Silver
Posts: 14
I was listening to Live ATC after I noticed AS1323 squawking 7700 on FR24. PDX controller asked for souls on board + remaining fuel, then asked the flightcrew to confirm reports of smoke. Their response was heavy smell of smoke while at altitude, but that it wasn't visible. They mentioned that the FAs said it was present from the exit row to the flightdeck.
Jun 11, 2019, 8:42 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
Jun 11, 2019, 9:23 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Jun 11, 2019, 11:22 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,842
A quick search shows “Average daily flights 2016: 957 (AAG)” on their own company information site:
https://newsroom.alaskaair.com/company-information
Granted, it’s no longer 2016, and it would be nice if they kept this up to date, but I don’t think they grew that much since then
Still, I kind of agree with your conclusion.
perhaps it was just some pasenger’s dirty socks?
https://www.tampabay.com/news/bizarr...ding_170456704
“A rancid odor likened to "dirty socks" and burning plastic prompted a plane traveling from New York to Florida to make an emergency landing Thursday night.”
Last edited by notquiteaff; Jun 11, 2019 at 11:27 pm
Jun 11, 2019, 11:27 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,626
Alaska runs may be caused by some of the lounge soups (especially when consumed with a lounge side salad with too much dressing) but that would cause, not result from, the strong smell. As for the 11K number ...
Jun 12, 2019, 8:03 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG, 1MM
Posts: 377
Really, 11k?
A quick search shows “Average daily flights 2016: 957 (AAG)” on their own company information site:
https://newsroom.alaskaair.com/company-information
Granted, it’s no longer 2016, and it would be nice if they kept this up to date, but I don’t think they grew that much since then
Still, I kind of agree with your conclusion.
perhaps it was just some pasenger’s dirty socks?
https://www.tampabay.com/news/bizarr...ding_170456704
“A rancid odor likened to "dirty socks" and burning plastic prompted a plane traveling from New York to Florida to make an emergency landing Thursday night.”
https://newsroom.alaskaair.com/2018-...tional-results
The number of destinations has increased since 2016 and I am not sure if the VX fights were included.