Date: 201809
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Aircraft: A320
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Aircraft component: Cooling Fan; any cooling fan
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Second reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: While cruising at FL330 in VMC conditions we began to get whining noise from under flight deck floor. This noise progressively got louder. After about 10 minutes we began to feel vibrations on floor in flight deck. Cabin crew could then hear noise in forward cabin as well. I put in a request for dispatch to call me on VHF and include maintenance (MX) on the line. While dispatch was getting maintenance on line we began to smell odor of hot wires or electrical components. This became stronger pretty quickly. I began to survey alternate options. Determined best options based on ND display and MCDU were ZZZ about 70 miles east and ZZZ1 about 160 west. I decided on ZZZ and advised dispatch of deteriorating conditions when he returned to frequency with MX. He agreed that ZZZ was good diversion and stated he would advise all necessary parties and send landing data. I transferred controls to FO (First Officer); [notified ATC]; and set up FMGC for approach while FO worked on descent. Briefed cabin crew of diversion with TEST items stating cabin prep was not required. About halfway thru descent to ZZZ the avionics cooling blower fan ceased and the CB tripped. With this; the fumes and noise stopped. Normal landing on runway XX and taxi to gate. Fire rescue crews remained on scene until MX Could open compartment to examine cooling fan. Passengers deplaned using jetway.


Second narrative: An hour and twenty minutes into our flight the Captain and I both noticed a loud grinding noise from under the floor of the cockpit; associated with a noticeable vibration. There was also a noticeable electrical smell. The aircraft had a previous write up for a tripped avionics blower circuit breaker; so we determined that this was probably the issue and decided to divert to ZZZ since it was 70 miles to our east. The Captain transferred aircraft control to me; along with the radios; while he coordinated with dispatch on VHF2. I [notified ATC] and we were given direct to ZZZ with a descent. While I coordinated with ATC the Captain briefed the flight attendants and then passengers on the diversion. It was determined that an emergency egress would not be required since the avionics blower circuit breaker tripped during the descent and the electrical smell dissipated; however we still had emergency equipment standing by to meet us upon landing. I flew the uneventful approach and landing to runway XX at ZZZ. Upon landing we taxied to the gate while coordinating with the emergency personnel to ensure that they didn't see any problems with our aircraft. Upon shutting down at the gate we met with emergency personnel and inspected the aircraft. The passengers were deplaned at the gate without incident.A replacement avionics blower was flown in from [our hub] and we continued the flight to [our destination] without further incidents.


Synopsis: A320 flight crew reported diverting due to smoke and fumes from an avionics cooling blower fan malfunction.