Lufthansa A320 enroute on Aug 14th 2013, three flight attendants injured by contaminated cabin air

Last Update: June 27, 2016 / 14:36:28 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Aug 14, 2013

Classification
Accident

Airline
Lufthansa

Flight number
LH-685

Departure
Dusseldorf, Germany

Destination
Tel Aviv, Israel

Aircraft Registration
D-AIQL

Aircraft Type
Airbus A320

ICAO Type Designator
A320

A Lufthansa Airbus A320-200, registration D-AIQL performing flight LH-685 from Dusseldorf (Germany) to Tel Aviv (Israel) and back to Dusseldorf, was enroute from Dusseldorf to Tel Aviv when a musty but not alarming odour was noticed in the cabin. A number of flight attendants showed symptoms of exhaustion, one of the flight attendants needed to take pauses in the cockpit on a number of occasions. The aircraft landed safely in Tel Aviv and performed the return flight to Dusseldorf concluding the flight with a safe landing too. None of the flight attendants thought of a fumes event or required medical assistance right after landing.

The occurrence aircraft continued its schedule normally after landing in Dusseldorf.

The following days three flight attendants reported feeling ill, doctors issued sick leave notes, as result of the flight.

The flight attendant already involved in the accident on Jun 7th 2013, see Accident: Lufthansa A321 near Berlin on Jun 7th 2013, three flight attendants injured by fumes, and later occurrences, see Accident: Lufthansa A320 near Frankfurt on Aug 31st 2015, fumes injure flight attendant and Accident: Lufthansa A343 at Chicago on Sep 28th 2015, fumes injure three flight attendants, had been on board of that rotation and felt increasing exhaustion during the rotation, too, however, did not think of another occurrence like earlier the year. The following day the flight attendant however fell into a condition similiar to delirium and continously decreasing physical condition, on Aug 16th 2013 the flight attendant was admitted to hospital care and remained there until Aug 21st 2013. A decreased oxygen saturation of the blood was found by the hospital, however, no toxicological tests were conducted.

The flight attendant suffered from lack of energy, daily headache and nausea, muscle spasm, swollen joints and other symptoms. The people around noticed forgetfulness and difficulties to find words as well as dizziness and unsteadiness while walking. The flight attendant remained on sick leave until Jun 22nd 2015, for more than 22 months.

The BFU stated on Jun 6th 2016, that they are not aware of the occurrence. The source subsequently provided evidence to The Aviation Herald, that the occurrence had been reported to the BFU via fax and there had been a number of phone contacts with the fumes expert of the BFU, so that the BFU was definitely aware of the occurrence. On Jun 8th 2016 the BFU requested the fax to be sent in by The Aviation Herald, which The Aviation Herald (after removing all personal details that might help to identify our source) complied with the same day.

On Jun 24th 2016 the BFU followed up stating that the events of Aug 14th 2013, Aug 31st 2015 and Sep 28th 2015 have been merged, with this merge the conditions have been created to collect further information.
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Aug 14, 2013

Classification
Accident

Airline
Lufthansa

Flight number
LH-685

Departure
Dusseldorf, Germany

Destination
Tel Aviv, Israel

Aircraft Registration
D-AIQL

Aircraft Type
Airbus A320

ICAO Type Designator
A320

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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