Air carrier flight crew reported a flight attendant notification of a fume event in the passenger cabin during initial climb. Flight returned to departure airport and landed.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a flight attendant notification of a fume event in the passenger cabin during initial climb. Flight returned to departure airport and landed.
Narrative
A couple minutes after takeoff; during sterile cockpit; the Flight Attendant called the flight deck. I knew that if they were calling during sterile cockpit it must be a serious issue; so I assigned the radios to the pilot flying and I answered the call. The Flight Attendant was calling to inform us that the aft of the aircraft had an unusual smell; and they were concerned that they were experiencing a fume event. They described the smell as an acrid burnt rubber plastic and dirty sock smell; and that it was much worse in the aft galley; but it was moving forward in the aircraft. I asked if there were any adverse health issues associated with the smell at that time and the Flight Attendant told me that there were none known at that time. I informed the Flight Attendant that I would contact Dispatch and maintenance control to consult with them and that I would get back to them with more information as soon as practicable. I reached out to Dispatch and Maintenance Control and after some discussion about the suspected fumes event; we discussed possible diversion airports if needed. I placed Dispatch on hold while I got an update from the Flight Attendants; approximately 5-10 minutes had passed since my last update from them. I was informed at that time from the Flight Attendants that some passengers at the aft exit row were now commenting on the smells; and the two aft Flight Attendants said it was so potent in the back that they had to move to the front of the aircraft to exit the area. The Flight Attendants did confirm that the forward part of the aircraft was not as bad as the aft third of the aircraft; and they also said that as of that time; no adverse health risks were known in the Flight Attendants nor the passengers; however we discussed the fact that we still had well over 4 hours of flight time ahead of us and we all determined that it was best for everyone if we divert and land sooner than later.Neither the pilot flying nor myself determined that there was any smells out of the ordinary in the flight deck; and we determined that donning our O2 masks at that time was not necessary; however if the need arose; we would immediately don our masks. I then returned to the dispatcher on hold and informed them of the situation in the aft of the aircraft and our now intentions to divert. The Dispatcher gave us some options and weather at each; some being ZZZ1; ZZZ2; and back to ZZZ. After a brief discussion with the pilot flying and the Dispatcher; we determined that ZZZ would be our best course of action as we were also grossly over our max landing weight and we wanted the longest runway available; and we still had a couple of checklists that would need to be accomplished prior to the overweight landing; and going to ZZZ would allow for the completion of all the checklists; a descent; and a long runway necessary for the overweight situation. We then informed ATC of our intentions to return to ZZZ and we subsequently [requested priority] due to the suspected fumes event. After completing all QRH emergency checklists as well as normal checklists; we made a successful approach; landing and taxi to the gate in ZZZ. Per the QRH overweight landing checklist requirement of touching down at less than 360 FPM; the aircraft touched down at approximately 100-200 FPM.Speaking with the Flight Attendants after deplaning I learned that one of the Flight Attendants was feeling light headed; nauseous and was feeling that it was difficult to concentrate. The 4 Flight Attendants all went to the hospital for observation and to have a blood gas analysis done. Later I learned that all had developed headaches; however their blood gasses all came back in the normal ranges. No passengers were transported to a hospital nor seen by medical personnel at the time of deplaning; nor were any adverse effects expressed from any passengers either. The aircraft underwent a maintenance procedure prior to our flight; the number 2 engine deice valve was changedout. I don't know for sure if that had any factor in the suspected fume event. Other than that; I do not want to speculate as to what caused the suspected fume event on our aircraft. I do not know what would prevent fumes events from happening in the future.
Second reporter narrative
After Takeoff; flight attendants called; I was the pilot flying; the pilot monitoring answered the call. Pilot Monitoring after finishing the call with the flight attendants informed me that they said the aft of the aircraft had a smell of rubber plastic and dirty sock smell. At this point I kept flying the plane and handling the communication while the captain was in communication with dispatch; maintenance and flight attendants discussing the possibilities. After gathering all the information and discussing it together we took the decision to return back to the field. we were able to return back to the field safely with no more issues. After arrival one flight attendant informed was feeling lightheaded and was not feeling well to concentrate; All the FA went to hospital to do blood test for the possible smelled gasses.The aircraft maintenance prior our flight was the engine 2 Anti-Ice valve was replaced; and we were doing Anti-Ice on departure; I am not sure if this could relate or not.Nothing really could be done.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.