B767 flight crew experiences a burning electrical/plastic smell emanating from the first class galley area. Lighting and ovens in the First Class galley area are secured with limited success. With the smell still present after the utility buses are secured the crew elects to divert to their enroute alternate.
Synopsis
B767 flight crew experiences a burning electrical/plastic smell emanating from the first class galley area. Lighting and ovens in the First Class galley area are secured with limited success. With the smell still present after the utility buses are secured the crew elects to divert to their enroute alternate.
Narrative
Approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes into the flight; Flight Attendants working in the First Class galley notified the cockpit of a 'burning electrical/plastic' smell emanating from the First Class galley area and door 1L. The burning smell was verified by a flight deck crew member who was on break. With concurrence from the flight deck; the First Class galley Flight Attendants secured the [applicable] lighting and ovens. The burning smell noticeably subsided; but did not completely dissipate. At the same time; Flight Attendants on rest break reported a noticeably 'hot-to-the-touch' area on the lower interior skin between the seats and the aft lower edge of the window at seat 13A. With concern to the irregularity of the two incidents; presumably unrelated; the flight deck pilots consulted Maintenance Control through Dispatch. The determination was made that the two incidents were unrelated and it was agreed upon by all parties that if the burning electrical smell continued; the first action in an attempt to isolate the source of the smell would be to secure the utility buses. The burning electrical smell cyclically continued. The flight deck crew; in concurrence with the QRH; Flight Manual and FOM; diverted to an enroute alternate. The utility buses having been secured did not completely eradicate the electrical burning smell. After an uneventful landing; Maintenance personnel for confirmed the burning electrical smell. The flight was subsequently canceled.
Second reporter narrative
At a little over 3 hours into flight; Chief Purser and First Class Galley Flight Attendants reported an electrical burning smell. Chief Purser proceeded to turn the First Class Galley and First Class overhead lights OFF; smell subsided. Shortly after; several Flight Attendants reported unusually high temperature on the wall between seat rows 13A and 14A. After consulting with Maintenance about both issues; they recommended to turn off both utilities buses if the smell continued. Just after crossing the first equal time point; burning smell re-occurred. At that time QRH was executed and a diversion was initiated.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.