B757 flight crew reported that a strong fuel or chemical odor was noticed in the passenger cabin during initial climb out. An immediate return to the departure airport was safely accomplished.
Synopsis
B757 flight crew reported that a strong fuel or chemical odor was noticed in the passenger cabin during initial climb out. An immediate return to the departure airport was safely accomplished.
Narrative
During climbout from ZZZ I was the pilot flying. Passing through 10;000 ft and climbing to 15;000 ft the Captain who was pilot monitoring answered a cabin call from the Flight Attendant. I could sense something was wrong due to how long he was talking to the Flight Attendant. I selected the Autopilot on and answered the radio calls from Air Traffic Control while the Captain was talking to the Flight Attendant. Air Traffic Control gave us a climb to 23;000 ft. When the Captain got off the phone with the Flight Attendant he said after takeoff the Flight Attendant attendants sitting in the aft galley along with three deadheading flight attendants smelled strong fumes that smelled like fuel. I told Air Traffic Control that we would like to stop our climb at 23;000 feet and we were working on a cabin issue. After talking to the Captain about the situation we agreed that a return to ZZZ would be the safest course of action. We accomplished the smoke fire or fumes QRH; requested priority handling with Air Traffic Control; and received radar vectors to ILS XXR into ZZZ. Due to task saturation forgot to reset altimeter setting from 29.92 to local altimeter setting until we got the 2;500 ft radio call. The approach and landing was uneventful and were able to exit the runway and taxi to the gate.
Second reporter narrative
On departure FA (Flight Attendant) at 3L/3R door notified flight deck of strong fuel and chemical smell in aft passenger compartment. The strong odor was confirmed with multiple people in the back of the aircraft. This occurred around 10000 feet in climb on departure. The Crew performed the QRC/QRH for Smoke; fire; or fumes while coordinating a divert back to ZZZ. Priority handling was requested; and vectors were received for XXR. Fumes did not become stronger but persisted during the duration of the flight. The FO (First Officer) performed the approach and landing. Altimeter setting was changed from 29.92 to local altimeter during approach. Aircraft was taxied clear of the runway and to the gate.
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.