In a newly issued Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO), the FAA is advising aircraft operators to take “prompt and decisive” measures that mitigate “adverse health consequences” to passengers and cabin crew in the event of odors, smoke, and/or fumes in flight. It did not cite any specific incidents, but the agency makes several recommendations to enhance an operator's response to these hazards.

Odors, smoke, and/or fumes can be introduced to the cabin atmosphere as a result of aircraft equipment malfunction or by inadvertent actions. Accordingly, the SAFO advises that operators “ensure their procedures and checklists specifically address recognition, differentiation, and mitigation of odors, smoke, and/or fumes in the cabin and/or flight deck.” While the presence of an odor alone does not necessarily require crew action or medical response, events also involving smoke and/or fumes require “targeted and timely action to protect aircraft occupants. “

Other recommendations include operators re-evaluating SOPs to ensure they address benign odors, as well as toxic odor, smoke, and/or fumes; reviewing ICAO Document 9481, “Emergency Response Guidance for Aircraft Incidents Involving Dangerous Goods (2017-2018 Edition),” which contains emergency responses to fire, explosion, spillage, or leakage; and collaborating with equipment manufacturers, other operators, and regulators to continuously enhance mitigation procedures and to identify potential risks.