Date: 202109
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ1.Airport, US
Aircraft: Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class C ZZZ1
Aircraft component: Flap Control (Trailing & Leading Edge)
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Workload; Troubleshooting
Second reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Detector: Automation Aircraft Other Automation; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: Aircraft had MEL XX-XX-XA (Slat/Flap System - Flap Subsystem) for FLAP FAULT Status message. Operations were discussed and conducted in accordance with AFM Supplement (performance Penalties for Operations with Airplane Systems Inoperative).Flaps Halfspeed performance penalties were observed on take off performance numbers. Taxied out for takeoff with no unexpected cautions; warnings or advisory messages. Normal take off performed Runway XX ZZZ1. Climbing thru 500-600 feet AGL 'FLAP FAIL' Caution Message Posted. QRH items were accomplished - Flaps had failed in the Take Off Position (8). ATC was advised that we would stop climb at 10;000 feet whilst Dispatch and Maintenance advised of the issue & formulate the best course of action. An emergency was not declared but the nature of the issue was given. Dispatch was contacted initially via ACARS; given the failure and fuel onboard; then subsequently via ZZZ Radio.After discussions with the dispatcher and calculating the fuel onboard all parties were in concurrence to continue to ZZZ. Requested for the Dispatcher to call ahead and have ZZZ ensure the longest runway was made available for the landing and to provide any assistance to facilitate 'short cuts' and weather avoidance to ensure arrival with sufficient fuel. Final cruise altitude was 14;000 feet and speed was 220 KTS to comply with the flap speed restriction and a 10 kt buffer for turbulence associated with weather. ATC was advised and provided assistance in find the shortest way around weather and direct to points on the arrival into ZZZ.Passengers were than advised via PA due to a performance issue that presented itself on the climb out of ZZZ1 the aircraft will be limited to 14;000 feet and a slower speed than flight planned causing our arrival time to be approximately 15 minutes after scheduled arrival. Additionally Airline was aware of the issues and would be watching and looking at any possible misconnects and proactively make any re-bookings if required in ZZZ. Flight Attendants reported no issues with the passengers and everyone seemed to be in good spirits.Thirty (30) Minutes prior to arrival flight attendants reported a strong 'mechanical/electrical' smell beginning aft of the wing root and extending back towards zone 6 in the cabin. Dispatch and Maintenance was advised; flight attendants asked to monitor and advise of any changes and systems were monitored via the various system pages for any indication of further subsystems degradation to which none was found.Flight was vectored to join final for Runway XYL ZZZ. Items in QRH (prior to landing) were accomplished aircraft landed with no issues; exiting Taxiway X and parking at gate XX in ZZZ.


Second narrative: Climbing out of ZZZ1; immediately after take off; received the 'flaps fail' caution message. Completed QRH and made the decision; with Dispatch and Maintenance input to continue to ZZZ. Flight was limited to 15;000 feet and 230 knots due to the flaps being stuck at 8. A much less fuel efficient route; so we required shortcuts when the weather would allow just to make sure we had plenty of fuel. With approximately 30-45 minutes left in the flight the flight attendants reported a mechanical or electrical smell.  No smoke was observed.  We discussed diverting to another airport but our options were limited since we had to increase our landing distance and roll.  Discussed the fact that the smell was probably associated with the failure and no other indications to suggest a fire so we continued to ZZZ.  Landed on the longest runway in ZZZ without any issues. The training received in the sim helped me be well prepared for a situation like this.


Synopsis: CRJ-900 flight crew reported a 'Flap Fail' message during initial climb followed by Flight Attendant notification of an odor in the cabin. Flight continued and executed a safe landing.