Introduction
On 31 January 2025, an Air Canada Rouge Airbus A319-100, registration C-FYJP, operating flight RV-1659 from Tampa, Florida (KTPA) to Toronto, Ontario (CYYZ), experienced smoke and strong fumes in the cabin shortly after departure. The crew declared a MAYDAY, donned oxygen masks, and returned to Tampa, where the aircraft landed safely with emergency services on standby.
The Canadian TSB is investigating the cause of the incident.
Flight & Incident Overview
• Aircraft: Airbus A319-100
• Operator: Air Canada Rouge
• Registration: C-FYJP
• Flight Number: RV-1659
• Route: Tampa (KTPA) → Toronto (CYYZ)
• Date: 31 January 2025
• Occupants: Unknown
• Injuries: None reported, but multiple passengers experienced throat and eye irritation
• Final Outcome: Aircraft returned safely to Tampa (KTPA)
Sequence of Events
1. Departure & Initial Climb
• The Air Canada Rouge A319 departed Tampa International Airport (KTPA) for Toronto Pearson International Airport (CYYZ).
• The aircraft climbed to FL340 when crew members were alerted to a strong fuel odour in the forward galley.
2. Crew Response & Decision to Return
• The In-Charge Flight Attendant notified the flight crew via intercom about the smoke and fumes.
• Efforts to isolate the source were inconclusive, prompting the crew to initiate an immediate return to Tampa.
• The flight crew donned oxygen masks, as did the cabin crew.
• A MAYDAY was declared, and ATC was informed of the emergency.
3. Emergency Descent & Oxygen Deployment
• The aircraft descended to FL220, following Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) procedures for “Removal of Smoke/Fumes”.
• This procedure caused the cabin pressure altitude to exceed 9,000 feet, prompting the crew to manually deploy passenger oxygen masks.
• The descent was expedited to 10,000 feet, where supplemental oxygen was no longer required.
4. Safe Landing & Emergency Response
• The aircraft landed safely on Tampa’s runway 19R approximately 70 minutes after departure.
• Emergency services, including aircraft rescue and firefighting teams, were on standby.
• Passengers and crew disembarked after air quality checks were conducted inside the cabin.
Investigation & Findings
1. Cabin Smoke & Odour Source
• The initial report from the Canadian TSB stated the odour was fuel-like and originated in the forward galley.
• However, the exact cause of the fumes remains undetermined.
• Investigators are looking at possible faults in the aircraft’s environmental control system (ECS), air conditioning packs, or fuel venting issues.
2. Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) Procedures
• The “Removal of Smoke/Fumes” procedure was executed, leading to a cabin pressure altitude increase beyond 9,000 feet.
• The passenger oxygen masks were deployed manually, a rare but necessary action in such cases.
3. Aircraft Downtime & Maintenance Actions
• Following the incident, the aircraft was flown to Melbourne, Florida (KMLB) on 4 February for inspections.
• After an attempted return to service on 11 February, the aircraft experienced issues again and returned to Melbourne.
• The A319 finally resumed operations on 15 February 2025, suggesting maintenance and corrective measures were performed.
Conclusion
Air Canada Rouge flight RV-1659 experienced smoke and strong fumes in the cabin at FL340, prompting the crew to declare a MAYDAY and return to Tampa. The flight crew and cabin crew donned oxygen masks, and passenger oxygen masks were manually deployed due to a cabin pressure altitude increase.
The aircraft landed safely with emergency responders on standby, and no serious injuries were reported, though passengers experienced irritation from the fumes. The cause of the smoke and odour remains under investigation, with a focus on potential fuel vapour leaks or ECS malfunctions.
The Canadian TSB and Air Canada Rouge maintenance teams will continue to investigate the root cause to prevent future occurrences.
Disclaimer
“This report is based on publicly available information as of 18 March 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided. If you are the rightful owner of any referenced materials and wish them removed, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.”
