Carbon Monoxide On A Pinnacle Flight

[regionalcap]

The crew of a Pinnacle Airlines Canadair CRJ-200 on behalf of Northwest Airlines, flight 9E-3947/NW-3947 from Minneapolis,MN to Cleveland,OH (USA) with 47 passengers and 3 crew, donned their oxygen masks while climbing through FL290 out of Minneapolis and reported that they were both feeling "different" sounding focussed on the task of flying the airplane but with great difficulty. They decided to divert to Grand Rapids,MI, where the controller cleared them to land on any runway of their choice. The crew asked the controller to assign the longest runway available with a headwind and to tell them the localizer frequency leading the controller to assign runway 26L, who then remarked they were already aligned and straight in for runway 08R with nearly calm winds, which was accepted by the crew. Later they reported they both got numb feet and numb toes, felt light headed and had trouble thinking. The airplane landed safely on Grand Rapids runway 08R 30 minutes after the onset of trouble.

Airport officials reported, they found traces of carbon monoxide in the cockpit air. The pilots recovered quickly and are fine again. None of the passengers or cabin crew was affected.

 

[crj567]

I'll bet a water separator sock was burning up. People smell these things stinkng all the time, and mx never actually fixes or replaces them.

 

[V-1]

Sounds like the crew did a great job handling an unusual event that wasn't rehearsed in the simulator before.

 

[COOPERVANE]

How did airport officials detect carbon monoxide? Someone in GRAND RAPIDS has a handheld CO detector?

Was it an Iphone app?

 

[Stifler's Mom]

How did airport officials detect carbon monoxide? Someone in GRAND RAPIDS has a handheld CO detector?

Was it an Iphone app?

Cabin door opens, and the plane is parked downwind of the 3 or 4 diesel engine firetrucks. "Wow, look at the CO levels, George. They're through the roof."

 

[TOOL CRIB]

Sounds like one of the FO's hair gel cans was leaking...

 

[CRJ puppy]

How did airport officials detect carbon monoxide? Someone in GRAND RAPIDS has a handheld CO detector?

Was it an Iphone app?

Actually these are quite common now and virtually all rescue departments have at least one or two...

 

[e=mc2]

Anybody think to give them a drug/alcohol test? Same symptoms, how about a blood test for CO? It binds quite a bit tighter than O2 so if exposed there would be CO in the blood.

Second thought did anybody check the FO's hair jel can??????????????

 

[xjgearbtch]

I'm sure the crew was sent to the hospital for blood work. That will answer any questions about carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

[LazyLightnin']

Second thought did anybody check the FO's hair jel can??????????????

I heard he took off on his skateboard before they could get ahold of him.

 

[e=mc2]

He couldn't hear people callin him cause he was listening to his Ipod!

The TSA however would not let him into the airport because they felt his hair spikes were a weapon.

 

[Top Gum]

I'll bet a water separator sock was burning up. People smell these things stinkng all the time, and mx never actually fixes or replaces them.

I used work on these things and I’ve never known of any to “burn up”. The sock that you are referring to is called a “coalescer” and it stays wet from separating water. I just don’t see how a wet coalescer sock could possibly burn. They do get nasty and make the plane smell awful but I don’t recall anything in the maintenance manual that indicates any problems with them burning or causing carbon monoxide. Mx is required to change them at required inspections intervals but we all know that’s not enough to keep the funky smell out.

Honestly, trippin from the hair gel is more likely than a wet sock burning. However, I do hope you are correct, then the fed’s will have to ground every CRJ in the country for coalescer replacement and I will get Christmas off for sure!

 

[Raoul Duke]

were they styling each other's hair in flight? That would explain it. . .

 

[PBRstreetgang]

Last time that happened to me, it was the Que Bueno spicy chorizo and cheese mixing with the last nights spicy chicken wings and Budwiser, it was like mustard gas only more corrosive, the seat cushion was declared HazMat, and burned.
PBR

 

[dondk]

donned their oxygen masks while climbing through FL290 out of Minneapolis and reported that they were both feeling "different" sounding focussed on the task of flying the airplane but with great difficulty. They decided to divert to Grand Rapids,MI, where the controller cleared them to land on any runway of their choice. Later they reported they both got numb feet and numb toes, felt light headed and had trouble thinking.
Airport officials reported, they found traces of carbon monoxide in the cockpit air. The pilots recovered quickly and are fine again. None of the passengers or cabin crew was affected.

Sounds fishy.. pure O2 with masks at 290?, assuming they kept it on through the descent and landing. Once on O2 things should have cleared up, especially for the 20+ minute descent and approach. Treatment for CO poisoning is 100% O2, this does not pass the sniff test in my book.

Good story though, would not be surprised they were trying to assure themselves of not being JA'd, this would surely do it, guaranteed days off!

 

[Rook]

Coulda been worse...glad everyone made it out ok.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

They just finished Sully's book and wanted to be heros too!

 

[Cardinal]

Last time that happened to me, it was the Que Bueno spicy chorizo and cheese mixing with the last nights spicy chicken wings and Budwiser, it was like mustard gas only more corrosive, the seat cushion was declared HazMat, and burned.
PBR

Que Bueno is a fickle mistress...