Narrative:

The first indication was a smell of electrical smoke in the cockpit. As the smell of smoke became stronger it was followed about a minute later with an EICAS message 'right recirc fan.' the smell of smoke remained for about 10 minutes then gradually began dissipating. Although the smell of smoke followed by the failure of the right recirculation fan was compelling evidence that the fan failure caused the smoke; none of the cockpit crew was comfortable embarking on the north atlantic tracks without first having the east&east compartment inspected by a mechanic. Among our concerns was the possibility that other equipment or wiring might have been damaged during the burning of the fan but not manifest a failure until later over the tracks. I decided; and the rest of the cockpit crew agreed; that the most prudent course of action was to divert and land as quickly as possible. Myself not being a mechanic; I cannot speculate about why the fan failed and produced smoke. About the over weight landing; I decided that it was safer to land quickly in an over weight condition before other malfunctions could manifest that might have been caused by the burning fan.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B767 Captain reports a strong electrical burning smell just before receiving an EICAS message for 'R RECIRC FAN'. The odor dissipates about 10 minutes later; but the crew is about to enter the North Atlantic tracks and elects to divert for maintenance inspection.

Narrative: The first indication was a smell of electrical smoke in the cockpit. As the smell of smoke became stronger it was followed about a minute later with an EICAS message 'R RECIRC FAN.' The smell of smoke remained for about 10 minutes then gradually began dissipating. Although the smell of smoke followed by the failure of the right recirculation fan was compelling evidence that the fan failure caused the smoke; none of the cockpit crew was comfortable embarking on the North Atlantic tracks without first having the E&E compartment inspected by a mechanic. Among our concerns was the possibility that other equipment or wiring might have been damaged during the burning of the fan but not manifest a failure until later over the tracks. I decided; and the rest of the cockpit crew agreed; that the most prudent course of action was to divert and land as quickly as possible. Myself not being a mechanic; I cannot speculate about why the fan failed and produced smoke. About the over weight landing; I decided that it was safer to land quickly in an over weight condition before other malfunctions could manifest that might have been caused by the burning fan.

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.