An A320 developed an air conditioning system noise followed by a vent extract fault ECAM and a stron...

Attributes
ACN	1011446
Time
Date	201205
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dawn
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Recirculation Fan
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 160 Flight Crew Total 11700 Flight Crew Type 2148
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 170 Flight Crew Total 11500 Flight Crew Type 1600
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

Narrative:

During flight; pilots noticed unusual noise from what they thought was the air conditioning system. Noise sounded like a loud whine and continued to get louder until stopping suddenly. Vent extract fault ECAM message appeared concurrently with switch fault light and strong electrical odor/smoke in cockpit. Pilots donned oxygen masks and established communication with each other and cabin crew. Qrc was accomplished as well as reference actions and checklist for vent extract fault ECAM. First officer flew plane to the divert airport while captain ran checklists and managed situation. Captain directed first officer to continue descending at 300 KTS below 10;000 ft to expedite arrival at the divert airport. After visual scan by crash/fire rescue personnel; aircraft taxied to gate. Cabin crew was briefed during descent and two PA announcements were made to passengers to keep them updated. Captain's overall impression is that everyone did a great job. The first officer performed admirably; the lead flight attendant stated during the debrief his complete satisfaction and thoroughness in the cockpit/cabin communications. ATC provided expedited handling and the arff crews were by the runway during our landing.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An A320 developed an air conditioning system noise followed by a VENT EXTRACT FAULT ECAM and a strong electrical odor in flight. An emergency was declared and the QRH complied with including a diversion to a nearby airport.

Narrative: During flight; pilots noticed unusual noise from what they thought was the air conditioning system. Noise sounded like a loud whine and continued to get louder until stopping suddenly. VENT EXTRACT FAULT ECAM message appeared concurrently with switch fault light and strong electrical odor/smoke in cockpit. Pilots donned oxygen masks and established communication with each other and cabin crew. QRC was accomplished as well as reference actions and checklist for VENT EXTRACT FAULT ECAM. First Officer flew plane to the divert airport while Captain ran checklists and managed situation. Captain directed First Officer to continue descending at 300 KTS below 10;000 FT to expedite arrival at the divert airport. After visual scan by Crash/Fire rescue personnel; aircraft taxied to gate. Cabin crew was briefed during descent and two PA announcements were made to passengers to keep them updated. Captain's overall impression is that everyone did a great job. The First Officer performed admirably; the Lead Flight Attendant stated during the debrief his complete satisfaction and thoroughness in the Cockpit/Cabin communications. ATC provided expedited handling and the ARFF crews were by the runway during our landing.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

An A320 developed an air conditioning system noise followed by a vent extract fault ECAM and a strong electrical odor in flight. An emergency was declared and the QRH complied with including a diversion to a nearby airport.