British Airways – Boeing 787-9 – Smoke Fumes in Cabin – Flight DIverted

2018-09-12
G-ZBKA, a Boeing 787-9 aircraft operated by British Airways, was conducting flight BAW103 from London/Heathrow, England (EGLL) to Calgary Intl, AB (CYYC) with 201 passengers and 12 crew members on board. After the air conditioning had been surging periodically during cruise flight, the flight crew heard it one last time before going silent. At approximately the same time, the Senior Cabin Crew Member (SCCM) reported that the In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system had failed throughout the aircraft, and that a system reset was being carried out. Shortly thereafter, the flight crew noticed an electric burning smell in the flight deck, followed by a haze coming from the first officer’s side. The flight crew donned their oxygen masks and initiated the SMOKE FIRE FUMES non-normal checklist.
The flight crew member on rest was called back to the flight deck, along with the SCCM; both reported that the electric burning smell was still present. Approximately 5 minutes later, the SCCM returned to the flight deck and reported that the smell was subsiding, and the flight crew proceeded to remove their oxygen masks. However, the smell suddenly returned, accompanied by a haze on the captain’s side of the flight deck. The flight crew donned their oxygen masks once again and continued with the non-normal checklist procedures. In the vicinity of Pangnirtung, NU (CYXP), the flight crew declared an emergency and requested a diversion to Iqaluit, NU (CYFB). Fumes were present throughout the descent, increasing on final approach; however, it remained isolated to the flight deck throughout the flight.
The aircraft landed without further incident at CYFB and stopped on the runway where it was met by ARFF. After the situation was assessed by the flight crew in conjunction with ARFF, the aircraft was cleared to proceed to the apron.
A rescue flight was sent the following day and the passengers continued on to CYYC.