2023-06 · NASA ASRS report 2011905
Air carrier flight attendants reported preparing the cabin for a possible abnormal landing because of smoke reported in the flight deck. The aircraft landed safely and the passengers were able to deplane normally.
I was doing my initial descent cabin preparations while waiting for the final approach notification. While waiting for the chime I noticed the flight deck was calling me (normal call). Captain advised me of an ongoing priority which I quite didn't understand completely but was asked to prepare the cabin for a possible evacuation and to be ready for bracing signals. They sounded busy and said they would call me back later. I rushed to prepare the cabin (short notice) since I wasn't specified how much time I had. I rushed to secure the galley and the passengers the best I could; briefed my exit row one second time and asked them to review the safety card once again. Captain made an announcement explaining the situation but I was busy getting everything in order; I didn't pay much attention. I made sure nothing was blocking egress and proceeded to read the Flight Attendant Manual (FAM) on the evacuations section. Already seated and in a brace position I hear the landing gear and review my commands one last time and suddenly before touch down I hear 'brace brace brace' and I start shouting 'heads down stay down' louder every time until all people were down. We landed safely and 1 over head bin opened during landing. We taxi out the runway and I stand up to close the overhead bin full of bags; and people were surprised saying I did a great job; however people from row 7 and behind said they heard noises during landing and that they smelled smoke. We park at the gate open draw door and I made sure all passengers exit the aircraft safely and quickly as possible; since I don't really know what's going on I said to leave bags behind. Then I go back make sure everybody is out and grab bags left behind (since we are safe) and stand outside with all the passengers and firefighters entered the aircraft.
I was in the middle of initial descent cabin preparation while waiting for the final approach signal; then I realized I got a normal call from the flight deck instead of the final approach notification. I answered the call on the forward flight attendant station and received what could have been a special briefing. I received a very brief description of the type of priority we were having (smoke in flight deck); instructions to prepare the cabin in case we experience a [priority situation] and to be ready for bracing signals. All this from the Captain; as they got busy they said they would call me back to finish the briefing; I don't remember receiving the time left we had till landing. As soon as I finished the call; I look through the windows to estimate how much time left we have till landing then I proceed to turn the lights on bright; I don't do any announcements because I don't want to waste time (again I don't know how bad the situation is and how much time we have) and proceed to secure the passengers and the cabin the best way possible since I was told to be ready for a possible emergency. I make sure nothing could be blocking the egress of any of the passengers and brief the exit row one second time and ask them to review the safety information card once again. I start to shout that seat belts must be fastened; tray tables up; seat backs up and all loose items out of the way; in the meantime Captain made an announcement that I couldn't hear well because I was busy making sure everything was right and people seemed to follow instructions. I read the manual for 2 minutes on the evacuations section when I hear the landing gear down and proceed to secure myself on my jump seat with seat belt and harness low and tight; I do a quick review of my commands and when I hear 200 ft. from the flight deck I hear 'brace brace brace' (I later found out the pilot shouting commands was the First Officer) through the PA; and I start shouting 'heads down; stay down' over and over making sure people do the brace position. We touch down and the landing feels quite normal; one of the overhead bins opened during landing. I keep shouting my commands; I never heard the instruction to evacuate which led me to remain seated while shouting commands and waiting for further instruction. We taxi out the runway safely; I stand up to close the overhead bin full of bags and look through all windows and everything seemed safe. I go back to my jump seat and ask people to remain seated with seat belts fastened and asked them if they were ok. People from the middle section to the aft section start telling me we were off the runway during landing; that they also heard crackling sounds; they saw smoke and they were noticing a burning smell. I personally didn't notice any of those things. We park at the gate and they have the walkway ready for us; firefighters were there and we performed an expedite deplaning. I wait till all the passengers are out and go check the cabin and lavatory to make sure nobody is left behind; with Captains permission I returned to grab the bags once it was safe; firefighters entered the aircraft.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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