2009-08 · NASA ASRS report 846828
CRJ900 flight crew is informed enroute by the Cabin Attendants that they are feeling ill; possibly from hypoxia. Crew finds pressurization to be normal and flight continues to destination. Flight Attendants seek medical attention after landing.
The aircraft was loaded; and pushed. Both engines were started using the APU. The APU was shutdown after the engine starts were completed. After taxiing to the runway; the flight departed normally. We climbed to our assigned altitude of 36;000; (we were filed for 38;000; but ATC assigned the lower altitude) using 290KTS; speed mode; and Auto-Pilot on. Just prior to reaching our assigned altitude; the Pilot Not Flying took a call from our Flight Attendants saying they; along with some of the passengers were feeling a little light headed; and that their ears were popping. They thought we could be having a pressurization problem; and wanted us to check. The Pilot Not Flying passed the information to me and we switched the EICAS to the ECS Synoptic page. The cabin pressure showed 8.4 D/P; cabin altitude of 6400 FT; the packs operating normally with Pack 1 temperature set to 24C; and Pack 2 temperature set to 25C. Both the First Officer and I felt none of the symptoms the Flight Attendant's were experiencing. About 10 minutes later; I called The Flight Attendant's to see how they were doing. They said they were still feeling a little light headed; but would be okay. I asked if they wanted me to divert. They thought they would be okay going on. The Pilot Not Flying checked back with Flight Attendant's a few more times as we began our descent; to see how they were doing. Each time the said they were still feeling a little sick; but would be okay to continue. After landing and clearing the runway; I had the Pilot Not Flying call back to the Flight Attendant's to see if anyone needed us to call paramedics for medical assistance; or help at the gate. The Flight Attendant's declined. I wrote up the Aircraft in the log; describing the events that occurred; and Maintenance came to try to troubleshoot any problems. In the end both Flight Attendant's needed medical attention; while both Pilot's felt no ill effects. I don't know why this event occurred. The cause is still being investigated.
I and the other three crewmembers met for breakfast at the hotel lobby. From what I could tell the crew seemed completely normal; no one was showing signs of any sickness; or fatigue (despite the early morning). As my requirements in the morning; I conducted the 'First Flight of the Day' preflight check. During this time I feel it is important to mention that the APU was not running; nor was the external air cart running; or even hooked up for that matter. The climb up to FL380 was uninterrupted except around 10 minutes in; we were given direct at FL360 for the arrival. After leveling off at FL360 roughly 5 minutes later. One Flight Attendant called up (cannot recall which one it was) complaining that both her and the other Flight Attendant were feeling what they though was Hypoxia. They complained that their head hurt; they were having nausea; and dizziness. As informed the Captain immediately we both checked the ECS page and saw all indications were normal. Cabin ALT was at 6300 FT; and the differential pressure was 8.4 PSI. I called back and told the flight attendants that we were showing normal indications; and cabin pressure was fine. I asked them to call back if they started feeling worse.
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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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