What happened
On August 31, 2014, an Airbus A330-200, registration CS-TOJ, was operating flight TP16 from Recife, Brazil, to Lisbon, Portugal. While cruising at flight level 390, the flight crew received an ECAM warning for "Smoke – Cabin Rest Smoke," accompanied by a master warning and an alert on the Attendant Information Panel (AIP).
Cabin crew members immediately investigated the area. Upon reaching the Lower Deck Mobile Crew Rest (LDMCR), the cabin supervisor reported seeing thin smoke emanating from a ventilation grille located beneath bed number five, along with a strong smell of electrical burning and elevated temperatures. In an attempt to locate the source, the crew broke the light fixture and its frame, but no specific fire source was identified.
Following established emergency procedures, the flight commander deactivated the cabin fans to prevent smoke contamination. After ten minutes of being unable to locate the origin of the smoke, the commander, in coordination with the cabin supervisor, ordered the LDMCR fire door to be closed and the fire extinguishing system (FES) to be activated. Due to the unidentified source of the smoke, the flight crew decided to divert to Amílcar Cabral International Airport in Sal, Cape Verde.
The aircraft landed safely at 06:26 UTC. Following the landing, the LDMCR was inspected by airport firefighters and the flight crew using portable breathing equipment (PBE), but no visible smoke or active fire was found. Passengers disembarked normally.
The investigation
The GPIAA investigation focused on the origin of the smoke and the crew's response. Maintenance engineers from TAP inspected the aircraft and found no signs of smoke or excessive heat on the LDMCR components. A light ballast above the ventilation duct was replaced. Upon returning to Lisbon, the aircraft underwent further preventive maintenance, including a borescope inspection of the LDMCR ventilation ducts and the removal of several components, which were sent to manufacturers for detailed analysis. No faults were found in these components.
Findings
- The investigation could not definitively determine the exact origin of the smoke, though the event was considered isolated as the aircraft continued subsequent operations without further incidents.
- The crew's initial response was delayed because flight attendants instinctively checked the lavatories first, rather than checking the AIP to identify the specific location of the smoke.
- The cabin crew noted that training regarding the specific features, locations, and emergency procedures for the LDMCR was limited.
- No passengers or crew members sustained injuries during the event.