CRJ-900 Captain and Flight Attendant reported a smoke in the cabin incident during climb. Flight returned to departure airport.
Synopsis
CRJ-900 Captain and Flight Attendant reported a smoke in the cabin incident during climb. Flight returned to departure airport.
Narrative
Upon departure; at approximately 1;000-3;000 feet MSL; the flight attendants contacted the flight deck via call light reporting visible thick smoke in the cabin. The flight attendants reported the smoke was located in the forward cabin and extended into the mid-cabin area by comfort plus. No flight deck indications; warnings; or abnormal system messages were present at that time.The crew immediately requested priority handling with ATC and requested to return to the departure airport. The crew accomplished the checklist for Smoke or Fumes Removal procedure; followed by the associated QRH procedure. After completion of the procedures and subsequent communication with the flight attendants; the crew was advised that the smoke/haze had dissipated. No heat or additional abnormal indications were observed on the flight deck. A faint odor was noted in the cockpit; described as similar to burnt plastic; however; the source could not be identified.An uneventful approach and landing were completed. Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) conducted an external inspection after landing; no evidence of fire; heat; or residual smoke was found. ARFF stated that a smoke odor was present in the cabin though. The aircraft was turned over to maintenance for further inspection. The aircraft had been de-iced approximately 5-10 minutes prior to departure. Post-de-ice procedures per the special procedures manual were followed; including a 3:00-minute wait prior to restoring pack operation. No determination was made by the crew regarding the source of the reported smoke/fumes.Cause is unknown. Pack contamination suspected from de-icing.
Second reporter narrative
I was working AFT. When we started to take off I noticed that the fWD part of the cabin between rows 4 and 5 was looking a bit hazy; I got concerned and became aware of all the possible outcomes. The sun was so bright so you could see the light through the window and dust flying around so I thought maybe it was that but then It started getting thicker so the FWD FA Person A calls me and says there is smoke. I confirmed it as well. While she called the flight deck; I immediately get out of my jumpseat and grab the water fire extinguisher and break the seal to have it ready in case it is a Possible Electronic Device battery fire. It is better to be prepared in this situation because every second counts. Smoke was coming from above so we thought it could be a laptop; cellphone etc. in the bin. we open all bins and couldn't find anything. Passengers were scared looking at what was happening. She goes to call Flight deck again while I am monitoring the area. She tells them we couldn't find a fire but it was still cloudy in cabin so Captain said standby we will be making landing back to ZZZZ. They even put on their oxygen masks during all this. No masks dropped in the cabin. No Red level emergency declared. No evacuation. 4A was close to it and he was scared. 14 C and D were scared as well. FWD FA made announcement that we will be returning back to ZZZZ due to the situation. We told everyone row by row to remain calm and that everything was going to be okay while securing the cabin for landing. There was a burnt smell lingering between first class and comfort. Smoke started to dissipate. We sat back in our jumpseats and remain seated until further instructions. I was prepared in case we had to evacuate passengers. I saw the firetrucks driving on the left side of aircraft. Flight deck calls to say they didn't see anything on the outside but we will be returning back to the gate. FA opens Main Cabin Door after being instructed by captain. Fire fighters come one with a temperature sensor and inspect the cabin. They mentioned that there was a spot that felt hotter than normal but it wasn't alarming. They did confirm that it smelled like something was burning. They were unable to find the source. Pilots mentioned how it's possible that de-icing fluid could have gotten into the engines. The captain made an announcement that everyone will be getting of the aircraft and gather their belonging. They waited for the okay from the gate agent and Ramp to deplane. FWD FA mentioned that a Passenger told her it smelled like burning antifreeze; she informed captain. The captain was on the phone for a while. We were waiting for updates. He mentions that they will need to replace the oxygen from the oxygen masks in the flight deck and the H20 extinguisher needed to be replaced as well. He informed us that they were deadheading back on another flight. I called the inflight duty manager to get more clarification because they had delayed me and Person A for 3 hours. She mentions that pilots can be given different assignments. She said we would still be operating that same plane. I was still questioning why they would let the pilots Dead Head back to ZZZ1 on a different flight and want us to operate the same plane back to ZZZ1 that had maintenance issues. I checked the flight attendant app and there were zero passengers listed. All of them had been removed. The same answer was given to me that I still was operating that flight. We had to get off the plane and clear customs and back through security and customs again. In total we went through customs and security three times in one day. By the time we got to the gate again we get a notification that flight is delayed for 7 hours. We called scheduling and the only thing they could do was give us a day room. We mentioned how our duty day was extended to 14 hours on the dot. They tell us to keep waiting to see what happens as we are still scheduled to operate. We meet up with the new pilots who were supposed to be operating with us and they told us they would be timing out and were going to the hotel. We got escorted out the terminal and waited for the shuttle to hotel. we get another notification that the flight is further delayed. 14 hour plus duty day now; so I call crew services and explain that we are already at 14 hour plus and close to timing out. The scheduler mentioned that she was going to get more information about this issue and will call back. Meanwhile I told her that we were on the way to the Dayroom and said it was okay to just go and they will call us back as the deadhead could be in several hours. We get to the hotel and 20 minutes later I get a call from scheduling telling me to get to the airport that they will put us on the Dead Head. I mentioned we might not make it on time but she insisted to get to the airport. We go to the ticket counter and they tell us that our names are not listed on the flight. We had no flight confirmation number. I called scheduling the person who answered me was clueless when I explained and had asked if I had called before and I said I called multiple times today. Ticket agent calls the gate and they told him that they had already closed the boarding door. They departed early. They could not hold the flight because there was no flight confirmation number in the system yet for both of us. They said if they had the flight confirmation number then they would have done everything possible to hold the flight. Later it appeared but it was too late; flight had already departed. Person A was on the phone with scheduling for a while and they put us on flight XXXX since it was the last flight to State X. They asked permission to extend our duty day and we both agreed because we just wanted to go home. She was given a ride from ZZZ1 due to the situation and I will attempt to non revenue home. It is the last day of our 5 day trip. While waiting for our deadhead Aircraft X got towed and taken out of service.FWD part of the cabin looked a bit hazy; FWD FA Person A calls me and says there is smoke. We both confirmed that we were seeing the same exact thing. Passengers were watching as and looking at us alarmed.Cause: Smoke was forming in the fwd part of the cabin near rows 4-6 in between first class and comfort.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.