2024-12 · NASA ASRS report 2198535
CRJ-200 flight crew reported a fumes event due to an uncontrollable cabin temperature system which resulted in cabin smoke. The flight crew was provided priority handling where a safe landing was accomplished.
The ECS page and it said 120 degrees C. We noted that was very hot and turned down the pack. Not long after this we got the caution message 'SMOKE TOILET'. I assessed the situation and transferred controls to the FO. While I was running the QRH the FA called and said the smoke alarm was going off and smoke was in the cabin. I then went back and [requested priority handling] and told center there was smoke and started a descent. Center offered ZZZ as an alternate and we agreed. I told the FO to set up and to fly us there while I dealt with the situation / QRH. Shortly after starting the decent we put our oxygen masks on. I started to run the SMOKE TOILET QRH but wasn't able to complete it before my attention was focused on flying the plane. On our way to ZZZ we got LOW PRESS OXY. Around this time it was very hot in the cockpit and saw light colored smoke and the FA called for updates and said it was heating up / light colored smoke. At this point we were very close to ZZZ and setting up for Runway XXR. I told Dispatch we were diverting and I believe said smoke on board. I got the LOW PRESS OXY QRH done and was halfway done with SMOKE TOILET. As well as telling Dispatch we were diverting and I believe said smoke on board. But due to it needing to pull circuit breakers and we were too close to landing I then prioritized landing the plane for possible evacuation. Close to landing in ZZZ the FA and I went over the special procedure. I told her initially no evacuation was required but on short final the heat was extremely hot for us. I told the FO we're going to evacuate on the runway and he agreed. Once on the ground we told the FA and performed the evacuation through the main cabin door. I had the FO go outside and guide the passengers to safety off the runway. I shut off the plane and got off myself once everyone was off. After this buses came to pick up the pax as well as us later on.Cause: We believe the cause was a runaway pack but in the air we were unsure of what the problem was. The pack was up to 120 degrees C and could have been higher.Suggestions: We did everything in our power but the plane malfunctioned.
While enroute to ZZZ1 from ZZZ2 the Captain and I noticed the temperature in the cockpit was getting uncomfortably warm. We pulled up the ECS page and saw the temperature on pack 1 was 120 degrees Celsius. The captain decreased the temp on the pack and shortly after we received a 'SMOKE TOILET' caution message. The Captain transferred controls to me while he began the QRH procedure for smoke toilet. Shortly after this the flight attendant called us and informed the Captain that light colored smoke was visible in the cabin and the fire alarm was going off. The Captain [requested priority handling] with ATC and communicated that we had smoke in the cabin and cockpit and that we needed to divert. ATC suggested to divert to ZZZ; Oh and the Captain and I agreed. ATC gave us radar vectors and began descending us. Shortly after we received 'OXYGEN LO PRESS' caution message. I began setting up the FMS with the ZZZ airport and loaded in the ILS XXR approach. ATC vectored us onto the approach course and cleared us for the approach. The captain took controls back and we began configuring the plane for landing. On short final the captain told me to call back to the flight attendant and let her know that we will be evacuating on the runway. I made the call and she acknowledged that we would be evacuating. We made a safe landing and stopped on the runway and began evacuating the aircraft. I deplaned as quickly as I could so that I could direct passengers into the grass area adjacent to the runway.Cause: We believe this event was caused by a runaway PACK but we were unsure of the cause in the air. PACK 1 was indicating 120 degrees Celsius or higher.Suggestions: We did everything we could to our abilities; but we believe this was a mechanical irregularity.
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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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