Flight Details
Aircraft Type: Airbus A321-211 Operator: Air Canada Rouge Registration: C-FJQL Flight Number: RV1702 / AC1702 Route: Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Canada Date of Incident: 16 April 2025 Total Occupants: 176 (passengers and crew) Weather Conditions: Enroute at cruise altitude FL350; no weather-related impact reported
Introduction
On 16 April 2025, an Air Canada Rouge Airbus A321 enroute from Las Vegas to Toronto was diverted to Des Moines, Iowa, after the crew detected an acrid odour in the cabin, described by passengers and crew as resembling smoke. The aircraft was cruising at FL350 approximately 30 nautical miles north of Des Moines when the crew initiated the diversion. Flight RV1702 landed safely on runway 13 at Des Moines International Airport approximately 17 minutes after the decision to divert. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft was met by emergency services on arrival. The source of the odour is under investigation, and the aircraft remains grounded in Des Moines over 43 hours later.
Sequence of Events
The flight departed Las Vegas on schedule and was established in cruise at FL350 when crew and cabin personnel began noticing an unusual and acrid odour onboard. While there were no visible signs of smoke and no alerts from the aircraft’s smoke detection systems, the odour was persistent enough to cause concern regarding possible electrical or environmental system malfunction.
At the time of the event, the aircraft was approximately 30 nautical miles north of Des Moines, Iowa. The flight crew consulted with Air Canada’s operations centre and elected to divert immediately as a precaution.
The aircraft initiated a descent and was cleared for approach into Des Moines, where it landed without further incident on runway 13. Total time from detection of the odour to landing was approximately 17 minutes. The aircraft vacated the runway normally and taxied to a remote stand, where it was met by airport emergency services.
There were no injuries and no emergency evacuation was deemed necessary. All passengers disembarked using standard procedures.
Crew & Communication
The flight crew acted swiftly and appropriately upon detection of the odour, initiating a controlled descent and diversion to the nearest suitable airport. ATC communications remained standard, with the crew reporting a suspected smoke odour and requesting priority landing.
Although no emergency was declared via transponder code (no squawk 7700 was reported), the situation was treated with elevated caution, and emergency services were pre-positioned at Des Moines for arrival.
The cabin crew performed standard cabin safety checks and monitored passengers for symptoms of smoke inhalation or discomfort. No medical treatment was required on arrival.
Aircraft Systems & Technical Analysis
The Airbus A321 is equipped with a comprehensive environmental control system (ECS), which regulates airflow through bleed air from the engines and conditions it via packs and recirculation fans. Acrid odours may originate from several sources, including:
Oil contamination in the bleed air system due to leaking engine seals Electrical overheating in cabin panels, galley systems, or avionics Contamination or overheating in air conditioning packs Recirculation fan motor failure
In this case, the absence of visual smoke or system alerts suggests a low-level chemical odour rather than an open fire or combustion event. However, odour perception at altitude can be heightened due to pressurised airflow and confined cabin space.
Following landing, Air Canada maintenance technicians began investigating potential sources including:
Engine oil system for leak-induced bleed air contamination Avionics bay for signs of thermal damage Air conditioning packs and ducts for chemical odour sources Cabin materials for overheating due to wiring or panel faults
The aircraft remained on the ground in Des Moines for more than 43 hours following the incident, indicating an ongoing technical evaluation or parts replacement process.
Passenger Experience & Cabin Conditions
Passengers described a strong and unpleasant smell mid-flight, with several individuals initially assuming it was burnt plastic or electrical in nature. Some reported mild eye irritation or throat discomfort, though no serious symptoms were documented.
There was no activation of oxygen masks or emergency equipment. Cabin lighting and environmental systems remained operational throughout the flight and descent.
The cabin crew maintained calm and continued normal service while preparing for the precautionary landing. On arrival, passengers disembarked via air stairs and were directed into the terminal at Des Moines.
Air Canada Rouge provided updates and made arrangements for meal vouchers and ground handling during the delay. Passengers were rebooked onto a replacement A321-200 (registration C-GKFB), which resumed the journey to Toronto with an overall delay of approximately eight hours.
Emergency Response & Aftermath
Des Moines Airport’s fire and rescue services were on standby for the aircraft’s arrival but did not need to intervene. No visible fire or smoke was present, and there were no injuries reported during or after the incident.
Airport operations were not disrupted, and runway 13 was reopened shortly after the aircraft cleared the taxiway.
The incident was reported to both the US Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada. Initial categorisation has been “odour event in flight,” with potential links to environmental or electrical system malfunction.
Investigation Status
As of the time of reporting, no final determination has been made regarding the origin of the odour. Air Canada’s engineering team, supported by Airbus technical representatives, is conducting inspections.
Investigative focus areas include:
Bleed air valves and compressor section oil seal integrity Recirculation fan and cabin ducting systems Wiring harnesses near galleys, lavatories, and power control panels Data extraction from the aircraft’s post-flight report and maintenance diagnostics
The occurrence has not been classified as a major safety incident, though it meets the threshold for internal airline review and reporting under SMS (Safety Management System) protocols.
Root Cause & Contributing Factors
Pending further findings, the most likely root causes are:
Minor oil leak from engine compressor seal leading to cabin air contamination Electrical system anomaly resulting in heating of insulation or wiring Overheating or failure of ECS components (e.g., recirculation fan) Residual material or maintenance fluid off-gassing under operational loads
Contributing to the decision to divert was the difficulty of locating the odour source in-flight, and the priority given to crew and passenger safety in suspected smoke scenarios.
Safety Recommendations & Industry Impact
While no formal recommendations have been issued, odour-related diversions continue to prompt industry-wide focus on:
Bleed air monitoring improvements Crew training on early detection and decision-making Maintenance quality control following component swaps or fluid servicing Use of air quality sensors in aircraft cabins for real-time feedback
This event may add further evidence to calls for retrofit or standard installation of air quality detection systems capable of identifying chemical signatures in the bleed air stream.
Conclusion
The diversion of Air Canada Rouge flight RV1702 to Des Moines was a precautionary but justified decision by the flight crew following detection of a strong acrid odour in the cabin. Although no smoke or fire was found, the safety-first approach ensured a controlled landing and inspection opportunity before continuing to the final destination.
The aircraft remains grounded pending further analysis, and the incident adds to a growing database of odour-related diversions in modern commercial aviation, highlighting the need for advanced detection and preventive maintenance technologies.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and reports at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided.
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