2017 EasyJet A320 smoke incident at Athens International Airport (G-EZOC)

Incident Overview and Flight History On 29 September 2017, an Airbus A320-214 with registration G-EZOC, owned and operated by EasyJet Airline Company Ltd., was conducting a scheduled flight from Mykonos International Airport to Milan Malpensa International Airport. The aircraft carried 186 passengers and 6 crew members. While cruising at flight level 360 in Greek airspace near the XANIS point, the flight crew detected a smell of burnt plastic and observed black smoke entering the cockpit from the electronic compartment beneath the first officer's rudder pedals. An ECAM vent extract fault warning light also illuminated. ## Emergency Response and Landing Following the onset of the smoke, the crew implemented emergency procedures in accordance with the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH). Although the visible black smoke was reduced, the smell of burnt plastic persisted. The flight crew used quick-donning oxygen masks until landing. The aircraft altered its course to Athens International Airport, where the pilots declared an emergency to air traffic control. The aircraft landed safely at 10:59 local time. ## Investigation and Findings The Air Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board (AAIASB) was notified on the same day and appointed an investigation team. An external inspection by the airport fire department found no traces of smoke or fire. A subsequent inspection by a certified engineer identified the source of the smoke as a fault in a static inverter (Part Number 1-002-0102-1830, Serial Number AA11136967) located on the right side of the avionics compartment. The defective unit, along with a malfunctioning extract fan, was replaced. As a precaution, the blower fan and air filter were also replaced. ## Damage and Personnel No injuries were reported among the 192 people on board. The only damage to the aircraft was an overheated capacitor inside the static inverter. The aircraft remained at Athens International Airport for further inspection, while passengers and crew transferred to another company aircraft to continue their journey to Milan.