Date: 202005
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: MD-11
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Cargo / Freight / Delivery
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Troubleshooting
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Crew; Person Ground Personnel
When detected: Aircraft In Service At Gate
Result: General Maintenance Action; General Work Refused
Contributing factors: Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: During preflight with the APU running; all packs on; and all cargo doors closed the flight crew noticed a chemical smell similar to model airplane glue. The Dangerous Goods Manifest showed no [none] on board. The smell increased in intensity over the next few minutes. We had the load crew reopen the main cargo door and investigate. They found the can from which the odor appeared to originate but not the individual package. We had them remove the can in question and leave the main cargo door open for ventilation. The odor immediately decreased and was gone after approximately five minutes. We received a new Weight and Balance and departed. An area of concern in addition to the presence of the odor itself was a statement from one of the ramp agents. After we called the load crew back to the aircraft to investigate the odor; one individual stated that after the original loading process was complete that 'That can smelled like a nail salon back there.' It's critical that our ground crews understand the importance of sharing this kind of information for the safety of everyone involved.


Second narrative: During preflight; we were in the cockpit and ground crew closed main cargo door. APU and packs were on; L1 door was still open. We had received the DG manifest with 'NO DG ONBOARD.' Shortly after cargo door was closed; I detected a noticeable odor similar to model airplane glue. I brought it to the Captain's attention. After a short delay; he sensed the odor also. At first; I thought it might be coming from the airplane's air conditioning system; but the Captain suggested that it might be coming from the main cargo deck. He directed me to ask ground crew to open up the smoke curtain and net so we could investigate the cargo area. As I stepped into the courier area; the smell got stronger. I summoned the ground crew and told them our request to open the net. The female ground crew member with the 'Safety Lead' vest asked if the odor was 'like a nail salon.' I said yes and she said; 'I know what can it is; I smelled it as we loaded it.' I asked another ground crew member to bring a DG specialist to the airplane. The Captain and I stood on the stairs for fresh air. The can was identified and removed per our request. The can was a Demi with a curtain. Within 5 minutes; the odor was gone. We left the main cargo door open for about 15 minutes to ensure fresh air throughout the airplane. We received a new weight and balance and continued uneventfully. I am particularly concerned with the ground crew's admission that they loaded a can on the plane with a known odor emitting from it. I was also surprised by the amount of odor that made it into the cockpit with the packs on; smoke curtain closed; L1 door open; and outflow valve open. Cause: Possible undeclared DG; lack of action of ground crew to investigate possible undeclared DG upon sensing odor. Suggestions: Ground crew awareness/action.


Synopsis: MD-11 flight crew reported a chemical smell" in the flight deck during pre-flight. Flight crew found the cause was an undeclared Dangerous Good on board; which was removed."