Date: 201904
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Dawn
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Aircraft component: Air Conditioning and Pressurization Pack
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: I changed Pack 2 from flight attendant controlled to pilot controlled. An odd odor began to develop; but no visible smoke was seen. I inquired with the First Officer to confirm the strange smell. First Officer agreed. I didn't feel too well; so I donned my mask and immediately felt better. The First Officer did not don; but said the smell dissipated shortly after I donned my mask. I set up communications to mask; yet the First Officer was unable to hear me. I got the QRH out; and we called the Flight Attendant to see if she [smelled] it as well. Flight Attendant walked through the cabin and confirmed. Flight Attendant was unable to hear me. Flight Attendant walked through the cabin again; and said it was only near the cockpit door and she was coughing. None of us detected any fire or smoke. I removed my mask; and confirmed there was no longer a stench. Flight Attendant did a final walk through the cabin and confirmed the smell had completely dissipated.Detected when a configuration change to Pack 2 was made. The aircraft had recently been written up multiple times for bleed issues. I suspect this may have had something to do with the unknown stench.It was concerning the mask tested well for first flight of the day; but no one was able to hear me. The First Officer stayed; I did not come through the intercom at all. The Flight Attendant stated she just couldn't hear much of anything ever; due to the loud noise from the main door.


Second narrative: During cruise flight Captain and First Officer noticed an odor coming from the ventilation system after taking control of the cabin temperature control. Flight Attendant was called; and confirmed smell was present in the front of the cabin as well. Captain donned oxygen mask. As she was donning; First Officer requested lower altitude from ATC and noted the smell dissipated. Called Flight Attendant; she walked the cabin and confirmed smell was only in the front of the cabin. Captain removed mask; and a few minutes later; Flight Attendant called to say she noticed the smell and it was causing her to cough. She verified the smell was only in the front of the cabin. The flight crew did not notice any unusual smell and continued to ZZZ for a normal approach and landing. Upon arrival at the gate; Maintenance was notified and a write up was completed in the logbook. Aircraft had multiple previous write ups concerning bleed issues; presumably could be an issue resulting from that.


Synopsis: EMB-145 flight crew reported odd odor in the cockpit shortly after changing ventilation configuration in flight. Flight Attendant reported the odor as well.