Date: 201207
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: B757-200
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Ground ZZZ
Aircraft component: Turbine Engine
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Human factors: Troubleshooting; Physiological - Other
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Maintenance; Person Flight Crew; Person Flight Attendant
When detected: Taxi
Result: Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Declared Emergency; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: Returned to gate after noting an intermittent petroleum odor by flight attendants and pilots. Maintenance personnel confirmed oil odor in cabin immediately upon boarding aircraft. Physical response to exposure after blocking in: redness; itchy eyes; sore throat; followed by a headache. Initial treatment: flushed eyes with water; hydration; and aspirin for headache. Filed Occupational Report with Pilot Service Center. Follow on doctor's visit confirmed irritation of eyes; throat. Eye drops prescribed. Work clearance received five days later.


Second narrative: I was Flight Attendant #2 on flight and noticed a layer of smoke in the cabin while standing at demo position (in front of Row 1 in First class). The smoke was a filmy gray color that did not seem to move from the business /economy class bulkhead which is row 10-15. I originally thought that the smoke came from condensation from the air condition. Upon the completion of the demo my colleagues and I discussed the visible smoke and realized that this was abnormal. Lead Flight Attendant contacted the cockpit immediately. After speaking with the Captain Lead Flight Attendant communicated that the pilots where going to turn on the packs (that may help the smoke to dissipate) and then come back to do a visual check. I remained in the first class galley protecting the cockpit as the First Officer walked to the rear of the aircraft and back (checking the smoke). After the packs where turned on the smoke appeared to dissipate a little however a smell of fuel began to fill the galley area where I was standing. The cockpit later informed the crew that the smell in the cabin was abnormal and that we were returning to the gate. Once the plane began moving I noticed an odd taste of metal and a feeling of nausea. By the time we reached the gate and all passengers deplaned I was experiencing a headache in addition to the other two symptoms. The crew was met by a Company Supervisor and where later taken to a medical facility for medical evaluation.

Second callback: The Reporter stated she is still receiving medical attention because of continuous headaches and chest uneasiness. Several other flight attendants and the pilots on this crew were also off work. She does not know the status of the other crew members at this time. Some passengers also report being dizzy after this event. The Reporter was told later that the suspected cause of smoke and fumes was APU oil in the air conditioning system. She also learned after the fact that her symptoms are most like caused by breathing the TCP contained in the oil.

Synopsis: Smoke and fumes developed in a B757 cabin during taxi; causing nausea; a metallic taste; and eye irritation. The Captain declared an emergency and returned to the gate where APU oil was found in the air conditioning system.