A321 flight crew and flight attendants reported smoke and fumes on aircraft after initial application of electrical power. Captain elected to secure electrical power and evacuate the aircraft.
Synopsis
A321 flight crew and flight attendants reported smoke and fumes on aircraft after initial application of electrical power. Captain elected to secure electrical power and evacuate the aircraft.
Narrative
Plane arrived late (XA25)FAs (Flight Attendant) boarded shortly after because the plane was ferried in from ZZZ1 where it had diverted on DATE due to a smoke in the cabin event. The IFE Button on the FC (First Class) console had a small 'INOP' sticker on it (No one had mentioned the IFE; only that the WiFi was inop.)The cabin was dark; with no power turned on. The plane was not clean and many FC and BC (Business Class) seats were fully reclined.A used PBE (Protective Breathing Equipment); electronic containment bag; and heat resistant gloves were left out on seat 1F.Cleaners boarded and started to clean and the aircraft lights and power came on from cockpit. CA reportedly turned on the IFE.Around XA50 - XA55 the FA3 and FA5 were in the BC galley and smelled smoke; simultaneously the cleaners started to shout from the back that there was smoke in the cabin; and the FA2 made a PA from the AFT galley 'smoke coming from row 18' (the #2 reportedly looked for a PBE to don; but it was missing -- most likely the used one in 1F).The FA5 called the cockpit from the 2L door phone to inform them of the smoke; but there was no answer. As the cleaners were starting to come up; the FA5 went to the cockpit to inform them of the situation. The FO (Flight Attendant) was there; but the CA (Captain) was not initially.The CA returned while the FA5 was relaying the information to the FO; and told FAs to get off the aircraft and turned off the lights and power.FAs and cleaners attempted to get off the plane in the dark.Upon exiting the aircraft; the gate agents were coming down the jet bridge to see if we were ready to boardThe Agents initially tried to stop FAs from getting off the aircraft. FAs shouted that there was smoke on the plane; but Agents continued to try to impede FAs until the lead agent saw the smoke himself as FAs pushed past him.Upon exiting the aircraft; FAs experienced headaches; coughing; heart palpitations; and shaking.FAs called Management and spoke to Manager; who instructed FAs to come upstairs to Operations. FAs did so and explained the situation to him; and then he arranged transportation for FAs 1; 3; 4; and 5 to the Hospital in ZZZ2 (since the airport doctor had gone home at XA00.)This aircraft should have NEVER been approved for service with passengers; after being diverted the day before for a smoke in the cabin incident and then ferried with no FA crew and no power turned on. If the Agents had been allowed to board on time; had the aircraft not arrived late; the situation could have been MUCH worse! Also; Agents should never attempt to impede crew members fleeing an aircraft. They should treat the hurried exiting of all flight crew as an emergency; and honestly should have known better. As the lead agent was training a trainee; I believe he was more concerned with departure time than safety. The company needs to stop penalizing agents for late departures; so the focus is placed on safety where it belongs!
Second reporter narrative
Aircraft X was delayed and ferried in. Aircraft was dark with no power. Aircraft was not cleaned or catered (dirty blankets was on floor; seats backs were still reclined. Used PBE (Protective Breathing Equipment) was on 1F seat in FC (First Class). After cleaning crew arrived on aircraft; within a few minutes smoke and fumes were detected onboard coming from main cabin. The Captain instructed for all to exit aircraft.Aircraft should be safe for Employees and Passengers to entered. The fact that a used PBE was on a seat in cabin indicate that there was some kind of fire/smoke issue Cabin crew should not be rushed onboard so that dependability can be met; when arriving aircraft had issues that was not sorted out after aircraft is ferried in........ SAFETY SHOULD ALWAYS BE FIRST. Top priority!!
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.