A321 pilot and cabin crew reported a cabin fume event at the gate prior to boarding when the APU was started and supplying pneumatic air to the cabin. The cabin crew informed the pilots of the odor the APU bleed was turned off; and maintenance took the aircraft out of service.
Synopsis
A321 pilot and cabin crew reported a cabin fume event at the gate prior to boarding when the APU was started and supplying pneumatic air to the cabin. The cabin crew informed the pilots of the odor the APU bleed was turned off; and maintenance took the aircraft out of service.
Narrative
The captain briefed us and he said he would turn on the APU because it was stuffy in the cabin. I was in the first class cabin with FA X and the smell was immediate. It was a very strong; toxic smelling odor. Something you knew wasn't ok to be breathing in. I immediately went up to the cockpit and told the F/O about the smell. He said it was ok and would dissipate. I said it smells like what they describe as a fume event. He said it should be fine. The captain was not in the cockpit at this time. FA X and I went out on the jet bridge to get fresh air and saw that the passengers were starting to come down to the plane so we got back onboard. I could still smell the odor 10 minutes into boarding. I was standing in front of the cockpit door. I went back into the first class cabin and the odor was still very strong. I called FA X and she said it was strong where she was as well. The captain came back onboard and I told him that the odor was too strong and it wasn't ok for any of us to be breathing in. They opened the cockpit windows as well. He said he would call maintenance. When they arrived they said it was a fume event and we stopped boarding and deplaned. It was about 20 minutes that we dealt with the odor. My throat felt a little raw and I could feel it in my chest a little bit.Suggestions: Please start providing cabin air monitors. It's so unsafe to be exposed to these toxins and you put your employees and passengers at risk for future health issues. Many of the passengers were aware of the situation and were concerned for their health as well.
Second reporter narrative
Turned on the apu bleed at the gate. Pilots and flight attendants smelled odor; turned off the bleed and had pre conditioned air hooked back up. Wrote up fumes event in the logbook. Mx took the plane out of service and we deplaned.Cause: Apu bleed
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.