Air France Airbus A350 Returns to Papeete Due to Smell of Smoke from Trolley

On August 5th, 2024, an Air France Airbus A350-900, registration F-HUVB, operating flight AF-29 from Papeete, French Polynesia, to Los Angeles, USA, was forced to return to Papeete after the crew detected the smell of smoke emanating from a trolley. The aircraft, which was cruising at FL390 (39,000 feet) over the Pacific Ocean, about 600 nautical miles north of Papeete, returned safely to the departure airport, landing approximately 4.5 hours after takeoff.

Incident Overview:

• Smell of Smoke Detected: While en route to Los Angeles, the flight crew noticed the smell of smoke coming from one of the trolleys in the cabin. Given the potential fire risk associated with any smoke detection aboard an aircraft, the crew decided to take precautionary action by returning to Papeete. Smoke or the smell of smoke can indicate a possible malfunction or fire, and the decision to divert is standard procedure in such circumstances.
• Safe Landing: The aircraft completed its return without incident, landing safely back at Papeete approximately 4.5 hours after its departure. Emergency services were on standby as a precaution but no further issues were reported.
• Flight Cancellations: Following the incident, the aircraft remained grounded in Papeete for about 16 hours while inspections were carried out. Both the scheduled flight to Los Angeles and the onward sector to Paris Charles de Gaulle were cancelled as a result of the incident and the ongoing investigation into the source of the smell.

Aftermath and Investigation:

• Aircraft Grounded for Inspection: Air France engineers and local authorities have initiated an investigation into the source of the smoke smell, which appeared to originate from a trolley used in the cabin. It is unclear at this time whether the smell was caused by an electrical fault, overheating, or another issue. As part of the standard safety protocol, the aircraft will remain grounded until the issue is fully resolved.
• Impact on Passengers: Passengers scheduled on the affected flights to Los Angeles and Paris were re-accommodated on later flights or provided with accommodations and assistance as necessary. The delays caused by the incident are expected to ripple through Air France’s scheduling as the aircraft undergoes inspection.

Conclusion:

The decision by the Air France crew to return to Papeete highlights the importance of swift, precautionary actions when smoke or any potential fire hazards are detected aboard an aircraft. While the source of the smoke has yet to be determined, the safety of passengers and crew remained the top priority. The grounding of the aircraft and cancellation of subsequent flights ensure that thorough inspections and repairs can be conducted before it is returned to service.