Date: 201304
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Aircraft: A319
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Human factors: Troubleshooting; Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Training / Qualification
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; Captain
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors; Manuals
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: While enroute; one of the flight attendants reported smoke and a burning electrical smell in the aft galley. The Captain directed me to assume communications and continue as pilot flying while he went through the Smoke and Fumes Checklist as I followed along on my iPad. The flight attendants informed us the smoke and fumes disipated after the galley was unpowered. Later; as I commenced the descent; the smoke returned and the flight attendants expressed their concern and their inability to locate and contain a possible fire. The Captain requested that I advise ATC and declare an emergency. ATC then cleared us direct to an IAF for Runway 30L and pilot discretion descent and airspeed to 11;000 FT. At 30 NM from the airport; 11;000 FT; and 300 KIAS; I requested lower; slowed and descended. The reported weather was 4;000 FT overcast; wind 280 at 20 with gusts to 30. When the Captain had completed his interaction with the flight attendants; the non-normal checklists and his attempts to contact Dispatch I briefed him on our current position and clearance. He then resumed pilot not flying duties and completed the Approach/Descent Checklist. We received a vector for the approach; descended through the weather; were cleared a visual approach and cleared to land. On approximately a five mile final; we received the ECAM - F/CTL ELAC 2 pitch fault which further led us to believe we may have a serious electrical issue. Approach Control and the Tower were extremely helpful in clearing traffic and allowing us expeditious access to the runway. After an uneventful landing; we cleared the runway and CFR conducted an inspection of the exterior of the aircraft. When they declared nothing abnormal and the flight attendants reported that the smoke and smell had ceased we elected to continue to the gate and requested the fire crews follow us in. Fire fighters boarded the aircraft at the gate and; following their inspection; informed us of a hotspot in the aftmost lav. We completed the aircraft shutdown; made a logbook write-ups and handed the aircraft over to Maintenance. FAA inspectors were waiting for us in operations where we debriefed with them before departing.


Second narrative: The iPad was useless when trying to run the checklists due to lack of familiarity with [its contents.] The [new] FM was cumbersome. I did not feel adequately trained with finding information in a timely manner. The FMGC Comm page was difficult to access for the dispatch frequency. Hence; we were never able to talk directly with Dispatch. (ACARS text Comm only) Bottom line; lots of changes to our procedures and lack of adequate training on the documents and changes put us 'behind the curve' in a time critical situation. I do think the (pending) QRH would allow for better checklist access and handling of this emergency; if [flight crews are] properly trained.


Synopsis: When the flight attendants aboard an A319 reported smoke and a strong electrical smell in the aft cabin the flight crew declared and emergency and received expedited handling to their destination. After landing emergency crews located a 'hot spot' in an aft lavatory. The Captain addressed his disappointment with newly initiated procedures; manuals and the functional value of a recently instituted iPad as an info/procedural resource.