2023-06 · NASA ASRS report 2012750
Air carrier flight crew reported while in cruise they received notification from flight attendants that the forward lavatory smelled of electrical smoke and the toilet handle was hot. The pilots diverted and landed safely.
While in cruise flight phase at FL 370 ; approximately 60 NM north of ZZZ ; the Flight Attendants notified the flight deck to report that the FWD Lav Flush button was extremely hot to the touch and there was a smell of burning plastic and/or an electrical burning smell. The First Officer and I ran the QRH/ QRC Procedure for Smoke; Fire; Fumes; and donned our oxygen masks. I talked to the Flight Attendants; and they indicated that the problem was not getting any better but also was not getting worse. We coordinated the diversion with ATC and got clearance instructions to ZZZ. Diversion information was communicated to Dispatch. We advised ATC and we landed XXR in ZZZ. The Fire Department met the aircraft on the ground and after assessing with them and the Flight Attendants; we decided to taxi to the gate where the Fire Department would board the aircraft and put thermal imaging on the button. When firefighter personnel entered the main cabin door the fire personnel inspected the forward lavatory and observed a slight smoke or haze and we were informed to deplane passengers off of the aircraft expeditiously. We also observed the smell of electrical burning when the cockpit door was opened. It was a mutual decision between the Fire personnel; me and first officer to power down the aircraft completely. Prior to power down of the aircraft; I informed the Flight Attendants that we would have no power to the aircraft while deplaning. Passengers were expeditiously deplaned; and the aircraft shut down; while Passengers were still onboard. As soon as power was removed from the aircraft; the heat at the lavatory flushing button began decreasing and the smell and haze dissipated. This was determined from Fire Personnel using a temperature sensing apparatus and we were quickly informed of that. I maintained communication with Fire Personnel; Flight Crew during the entire process. Passengers were deplaned expeditiously and efficiently; there were no reported injuries or other concerning issues related to Passengers or other Flight Crew Members. Throughout the entire event we (Flight Crew) kept the Passengers informed of the situation with timely and pertinent information.
While cruising at FL 370 the Flight Attendants called up to report that the FWD Lav Flush button was extremely hot to the touch and there was a smell of burning plastic and/or an electrical burning smell. The Captain and I ran the QRH Procedure for Smoke; Fire; Fumes; and donned our oxygen masks. Subsequently the captain talked to the Flight Attendants; and they indicated that the problem was not getting any better but also was not getting worse. We coordinated the diversion with ATC and got the aircraft pointed towards ZZZ. Diversion information was communicated to Dispatch. We advised ATC and we landed XXR in ZZZ. The Fire Department met the aircraft on the ground and after assessing with them and the Flight Attendants; we decided to taxi to the gate where the Fire Department would board the aircraft and put thermal imaging on the button. When they opened the main cabin door the Fire Personnel observed a slight smoke or haze and said we needed to get Passengers off the aircraft expeditiously. We also observed the smell of electrical burning when the cockpit door was opened. Passengers were expeditiously deplaned; and the aircraft shut down while Passengers were still on board. As soon as power was removed from the aircraft; the heat at the toilet flushing button began decreasing and the smell and haze dissipated.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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