Date: 201808
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Aircraft: A320
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Commercial
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Attendant; Person Passenger
When detected: Aircraft In Service At Gate
Result: General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related
Primary problem: Company Policy

Narrative: This report documents an incident of smoke observed and fumes detected in the cabin approximately five minutes prior to closing the cabin door for departure.I; Captain; was contacted and advised by Flight Attendant; that a customer seated in 23F had reported to her that she had observed smoke rising along the side wall of the cabin interior and that she had detected an odor consistent with something burning. Additionally; customers seated in the same row of the reporting customer in 23F; as well as in 22DEF reported similar observations. FA (Flight Attendant) stated she briefly observed smoke in a formation she described as similar to cigarette smoke. I responded to the incident location to investigate. Upon arrival; I did not observe smoke. However; as I approached 23F; I detected a faint odor consistent with electrical combustion. Based on my observation and the statements of the aforementioned customers and FA; I made the decision to deplane all customers. I then contacted [Maintenance] and briefed the Maintenance Controller of our status and concerns. Upon arrival; a Maintenance Technician initiated a smoke and fume investigation of the aircraft. Upon determining the results of the initial investigation to be inconclusive; the Maintenance Controller suggested contacting and interviewing customers seated in 23F and 24F regarding the location and contents of their carry-on property.I returned to the boarding area of the terminal and requested Supervisor page customers assigned to 23F and 24F and request that they come to the service counter with their belongings. Since the reporting customer was seated in 23F and we were concerned about property belonging to and stowed under 23F by the customer assigned to 24F; I initially contacted and interviewed the customer assigned to 24F. I introduced myself and explained I was concerned for her safety; as well as that of the entire flight. I observed she was in possession of a backpack. I asked her where her backpack had been stowed and what items she had in her backpack. She stated she had stowed beneath 23F; and; that among other items; it contained an e-cigarette; but stated she had turned it off. I asked if she would voluntarily open her backpack. She answered affirmatively and did so. As I looked inside her backpack; I detected an odor similar to the odor I had detected during initial investigation in the incident location of the cabin. I then introduced myself to the customer assigned to 23F and asked if she could smell the interior of the backpack and inform me if she smelled anything familiar. She did so and immediately; without hesitation; stated she detected the identical burning fume odor she had detected in the cabin.From the aforementioned statements and observations; I determined the cause of the smoke and fumes was customer 24Fs e-cigarette. In an effort to resolve the matter and ensure the safety of flight; I asked the customer assigned to 24F to take her belongings back through the TSA security check point for re-screening. Additionally; I asked the Supervisor to attempt to persuade 24F to voluntarily relinquish her e-cigarette; which she did without incident.[Flight] was subsequently re-boarded. After an approximately two [hour] delay [flight] departed ZZZ and arrived in [destination] without further incident.




Synopsis: A320 Captain reported a passenger's e-cigarette in their carry-on caused concern which resulted in deplaning and a smoke and fume investigation.