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B737-700 captain reported experiencing physiological reactions to fumes associated with engine wash procedures.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1404911 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201611 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Dawn |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737-700 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 186 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor |
Narrative:
This is the third time in approximately six weeks that I have started a flight where 'engine wash' fumes could be inhaled from the air conditioning system. I have written the aircraft up all three times. Twice the aircraft was removed from service and once the aircraft air conditioning filters were exchanged in a non-maintenance base. Exposure to these fumes cause me to have a short term reaction of coughing and itchy eyes. Usually the fumes dissipate during climb but return during descent. The physiological symptoms also diminish when the air clears. There are no visual clues such as smoke; just a strong chemical odor. No degradation of physical or psychological functions.preventative measures: a change to current procedures to fully ensure that the air conditioning system is purged or a switch to a different method. I would also like to be informed of the toxicity of these fumes.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B737-700 Captain reported experiencing physiological reactions to fumes associated with engine wash procedures.
Narrative: This is the third time in approximately six weeks that I have started a flight where 'engine wash' fumes could be inhaled from the air conditioning system. I have written the aircraft up all three times. Twice the aircraft was removed from service and once the aircraft air conditioning filters were exchanged in a non-Maintenance base. Exposure to these fumes cause me to have a short term reaction of coughing and itchy eyes. Usually the fumes dissipate during climb but return during descent. The physiological symptoms also diminish when the air clears. There are no visual clues such as smoke; just a strong chemical odor. No degradation of physical or psychological functions.Preventative Measures: A change to current procedures to fully ensure that the air conditioning system is purged or a switch to a different method. I would also like to be informed of the toxicity of these fumes.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.