Air carrier flight pilot crew reported during push back the A flight attendant notified them the aft lavatory was extremely hot and smelled of smoke. After a quick inspection; the crew called ARFF and immediately returned to the gate and deplaned all persons.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight pilot crew reported during push back the A flight attendant notified them the aft lavatory was extremely hot and smelled of smoke. After a quick inspection; the crew called ARFF and immediately returned to the gate and deplaned all persons.
Narrative
APU electrical failure with other issues. We had a long delay due to a late inbound and then after an aircraft swap; we preflighted aircraft; which experienced multiple electrical surges while on APU only power. We entered and ACARS Electronic Log Book report and Maintenance replaced a part and tested the system; and we were satisfied that the aircraft was airworthy. After normal push back and prior to engine start; the APU shut down and the aircraft was on battery power and powering emergency cabin lighting. The Captain had a hard time communicating with the ramp crew; the push back crew needed to find another headset as the one they had was not working. A few minutes later the Purser informed us and that the aft left lav was very hot; and they smelled smoke or a burning electrical smell; both in that lav and in the forward galley. We reviewed the situation and our options; and the Captain asked to be towed to the nearest gate asap. We were still connected to the tug; and with no way to start any engines; as a crew we decided that I should investigate the situation. I evaluated the left aft lav and there was indeed a burning smell and it was significantly hotter that the other lavs and the nearest galleys and cabins. Since we could not be certain if we had a lav/cargo/apu or other hidden fire; we [requested priority handling] and requested an expedited return to the nearest gate. While getting tugged back the gate; we reviewed options and decided that for the moment a full evacuation was not the best option; but we asked the Flight Attendants to review that procedure as well as the rapid deplaning procedure. Once at the gate; and after coordinating with the Purser; the Captain made the passenger announcement for rapid deplaning and the cabin crew was highly effective in managing the rapid deplaning of the aircraft through the jet way.
Second reporter narrative
APU failure and smoke. The departure was delayed due to an aircraft swap and then maintenance. Onboard the new aircraft there were power surges seen by the pilots during the preflight; the aircraft on APU electrics. We made an Electronic Flight Book entry and called Maintenance. Maintenance replaced the APU GCU. Upon pushback from gate; we were initially instructed to hold on spot XX; then to continue to disconnect on spot XY. It was difficult to understand pushback crew due to malfunctioning headset of ramp agent; he left to get a new headset. APU auto-shutdown suddenly and left us on battery power. Only VHF comm left worked; it was very busy to do all communication from one radio. Within 5 minutes the Purser told us that the AFT left LAV was very hot and that they smelled smoke or a burning electrical smell in the forward galley and in the Aft L LAV. We asked to return to the gate ASAP after considering the situation. The Relief Pilot went to the cabin to investigate (no engines were running). The Relief Pilot returned and confirmed the hot temperature in the AFT L LAV and the burning smell as reported by the Purser. We were still connected to the tug. I was having a hard time communicating with the ramp on the radio; it was very busy. The tug driver had returned with a new headset and I had reestablished communications with him. Due to delays returning to a gate and the possible threat of a hidden fire onboard we [requested priority handling] to expedite the Gate Return and asked the ARFF to meet us. During the return to the gate we discussed our options and decided to plan on a rapid gate deplaning of the passengers and communicated this to the Purser and asked him to prepare for that. I made a PA announcement to the passengers as per the FOM; it was preferable to avoid a full evacuation unless absolutely necessary. We also communicated this on the radio to the Ramp. Upon reaching Gate; the passengers deplaned calmly and rapidly to the jet bridge; leaving their luggage behind. ARFF and maintenance came on board; conducted a search. They did not find an obvious source of smoke or fire.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.