A320 first officer reports inadvertent contact with the guarded cargo agent discharge switch while s...

Attributes
ACN	903677
Time
Date	201008
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Other Fire Extinguishing System
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180 Flight Crew Total 13150 Flight Crew Type 5605
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180 Flight Crew Total 15000 Flight Crew Type 4000
Events
Anomaly	Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown

Narrative:

Approaching destination the first officer left his seat to stretch and await the flight attendant to enter the cockpit for a restroom break. As he stood up; his head struck one of the agent toggle switches on the cargo smoke overhead panel. Approximately 15-30 seconds later; the 'smoke fwd cargo smoke' ECAM appeared momentarily. After further observation we noticed that the 'DISCH1' light was illuminated on the cargo smoke panel; indicating that the 1st bottle of smoke retardant had been fired into the forward cargo pit. After reviewing the flight manual and discussing the situation; we determined that the ECAM was the result of retardant being inadvertently discharged into the forward cargo pit. Upon taxi-in the second bottle automatically discharged itself into the forward cargo pit. Once parked at the gate we were met by a maintenance supervisor. After our debriefing with the maintenance supervisor; I spoke to flight operations and was told sufficient action had been taken on our part; but we should still file a report.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 First Officer reports inadvertent contact with the guarded cargo agent discharge switch while standing up to leave his seat at cruise altitude. Bottle one is discharged causing a momentary ECAM warning. Bottle two automatically activates during taxi in.

Narrative: Approaching destination the First Officer left his seat to stretch and await the Flight Attendant to enter the cockpit for a restroom break. As he stood up; his head struck one of the agent toggle switches on the cargo smoke overhead panel. Approximately 15-30 seconds later; the 'smoke fwd cargo smoke' ECAM appeared momentarily. After further observation we noticed that the 'DISCH1' light was illuminated on the cargo smoke panel; indicating that the 1st bottle of smoke retardant had been fired into the forward cargo pit. After reviewing the Flight Manual and discussing the situation; we determined that the ECAM was the result of retardant being inadvertently discharged into the forward cargo pit. Upon taxi-in the second bottle automatically discharged itself into the forward cargo pit. Once parked at the gate we were met by a Maintenance Supervisor. After our debriefing with the Maintenance Supervisor; I spoke to Flight Operations and was told sufficient action had been taken on our part; but we should still file a report.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

A320 first officer reports inadvertent contact with the guarded cargo agent discharge switch while standing up to leave his seat at cruise altitude. Bottle one is discharged causing a momentary ECAM warning. Bottle two automatically activates during taxi in.