Synopsis
On 31 August 2014, a TAP Portugal Airbus A330-200, registration CS-TOJ, operating flight TP16 from Recife, Brazil, to Lisbon, Portugal, experienced smoke in the Lower Deck Mobile Crew Rest (LDMCR) during cruise. The crew diverted to Amílcar Cabral International Airport on Sal Island, Cape Verde, where a precautionary landing was performed without incident. All 262 occupants (7 crew and 255 passengers according to source? Wait, source says 11 crew and 251 passengers, total 262) deplaned normally. The origin of the smoke was not identified.
Flight History
The flight departed Recife at approximately 02:30 UTC with 262 persons on board (11 crew and 251 passengers). The takeoff and initial climb were uneventful. At 05:17 UTC, while the aircraft was cruising at Flight Level 390, an ECAM warning "SMOKE – CABIN REST SMOKE" activated along with the master warning and an audible alarm. The Attendant Information Panel also indicated the smoke location.
Emergency Response
The captain immediately contacted crew members E3 and E4, who were in the LDMCR beginning their rest period, and initiated the ECAM procedure. Cabin crew proceeded to the LDMCR, where they observed high temperatures, smoke emanating from a ventilation grille under bunk No. 5, and a smell of electrical burning. A lamp near the grille was identified as a possible source; the lamp and its frame were broken in an attempt to locate the fire, but no fire source was found. The captain shut off cabin fans to prevent contamination. After ten minutes, unable to identify the origin, the captain, in coordination with the cabin supervisor, ordered the LDMCR fire door closed and the fire extinguishing system activated. The smoke warning remained active until landing.
Diversion and Landing
The flight crew decided to divert to Amílcar Cabral International Airport (GVAC) on Sal Island for a thorough inspection. The aircraft landed safely and taxied to the parking apron. After parking, firefighters and the captain inspected the LDMCR; no visible smoke or fire source was identified.
Aftermath
All passengers disembarked normally. TAP Maintenance and Engineering inspected the aircraft, and it was dispatched to continue to Lisbon, where preventive maintenance was performed in a hangar. The investigation did not determine the origin of the smoke.