B737-800 cabin crew reported smoke and fumes entering cabin during boarding. Crew and passengers deplaned and sought medical attention for headache and other issues.
Synopsis
B737-800 cabin crew reported smoke and fumes entering cabin during boarding. Crew and passengers deplaned and sought medical attention for headache and other issues.
Narrative
We had a fume event on flight XXXX last night in ZZZ as we were about to close the aircraft door. we had started feeling symptoms moments later such as headaches; dizziness; burning eyes; sore throat; and tightness in chest. As a crew of 4 we seeked medical attention at the local hospital and the MD on duty said we had carbon monoxide exposure. One of us did have a high level in our blood still and we weren't able to make it to the hospital until a few hours after it occured. MD sent us home to rest .we were about to close the aircraft door when the Captain had mentioned we were waiting for Maintenance to come out before closing up. Moments later it seemed as if they were switching over from ground to APU and all the lights turned off emergency lights flashed on and off then when the aircraft lights came back on to full bright it started smelling immediately a very strong pungent disgusting smell I have never smelt before. When we looked up the aisle is when we noticed the smoke in the cabin and the Flight Attendant (FA) one was making the announcement to deplane and as she was trying to make her pa it seemed to have a short in the line and it was cutting in and out of the line. I was in the back of the aircraft during the whole duration of this occurrence. We were ready to close and arm our doors. I started feeling a headache come on as we were deplaning and my eyes were burning and my throat felt very scratchy.
Second reporter narrative
I was Flight Attendant (FA) 3. I was standing in the fwd galley and monitoring first class as we finished boarding. It was almost door closure time but the Captain said we had maintenance. Right as he mentioned maintenance; the aircraft powered off; lights went off and emergency lights came on and then it powered back up. We immediately started smelling a burning smell that got worse and almost sulfury in my opinion. Cabin was full of smoke. I was in the first row or two as this was happening and the 2 was trying to walk up to question the smell and smoke and I heard the 1 confirm deplaning with Captain and saw her reach for the phone so I told the 2 to go back so that we could deplane. 1 started making PA's for deplaning and efficiently and safely as possible. We got all passengers off. 1 did her final walk through and we all decided to step off of the aircraft as well due to the strong smoke and odor as well as for general safety reasons. We all had symptoms such as headache; lightheadedness; sore throats and chests hurting when breathing. Our eyes were burning as well. We ultimately ended up seeking medical attention due to our symptoms and to have blood drawn and chest x rays. There was presence of carbon monoxide and ER Dr said we had carbon monoxide poisoning and likely chemical inflammation to the lungs as a result. He gave us Doctors notes to not work for the next few days and went about precautions and discharge process afterwards. Something electrical caused smoke and fumes in the cabin when the aircraft powered off and back on.Suggestions: I'm not sure how preventable a fume event might always be. The crew did a great job at quickly assessing the situation and making the determination necessary to everyone's safety by deplaning and getting everyone off. I do think there could be a more clear and streamlined process for dealing with health concerns following such events.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.