B737 flight crew reported that a fume event during climb resulted in a return to the departure airpo...

Attributes
ACN	1738836
Time
Date	202003
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 133 Flight Crew Total 15000 Flight Crew Type 4933
Person 2
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Instrument
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

Narrative:

During climb; first officer and I noticed and discussed a strong burning smell wondering if something was burning in one of the ovens. Right after that flight attendant called to report a strong burning smell. I asked if anything was in the ovens and she replied no and she would investigate and call back. Shortly she called and said the smell could not be identified but appeared to be coming from the air ducts. First officer and I discussed it briefly and I advised her we would return for landing with 10 minutes remaining in flight and a normal landing. First officer continued as flying pilot with autopilot engaged and managed programming the FMC for a return to ZZZ. I ran the smoke fire fumes checklist; used ACARS for sending the divert message; and continued communication with ATC including [requesting priority handling]. While running the checklist we decided the oxygen masks were not needed. Then we completed the normal checklists. I made a brief PA to the passengers. We noticed the off-schedule descent light and noted we were returning to the departure field taking no further action on that light with consideration of being on approach. I asked if first officer was good to continue as flying pilot through the landing and he completed a nice landing.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reported that a fume event during climb resulted in a return to the departure airport.

Narrative: During climb; First Officer and I noticed and discussed a strong burning smell wondering if something was burning in one of the ovens. Right after that Flight Attendant called to report a strong burning smell. I asked if anything was in the ovens and she replied no and she would investigate and call back. Shortly she called and said the smell could not be identified but appeared to be coming from the air ducts. First Officer and I discussed it briefly and I advised her we would return for landing with 10 minutes remaining in flight and a normal landing. First Officer continued as flying pilot with autopilot engaged and managed programming the FMC for a return to ZZZ. I ran the smoke fire fumes checklist; used ACARS for sending the divert message; and continued communication with ATC including [requesting priority handling]. While running the checklist we decided the oxygen masks were not needed. Then we completed the normal checklists. I made a brief PA to the passengers. We noticed the off-schedule descent light and noted we were returning to the departure field taking no further action on that light with consideration of being on approach. I asked if First Officer was good to continue as flying pilot through the landing and he completed a nice landing.

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.