A Condor Boeing 757-300, registration D-ABOB performing flight DE-1440 from Hamburg (Germany) to Fuerteventura,CI (Spain) with 275 passengers and 8 crew, was being pushed back from the gate, when the engines were started. An odour of “old socks” developed on board, that continued during taxi, departure and climb. Only after levelling off at cruise level the odour subsided. A number of passengers complained about headache, nausea and dizziness. The crew continued the flight to Fuerteventura where the aircraft landed without further incident. At least two passengers required medical attention after landing.
Passengers described the odour as very strong like old or wet socks.
Germany’s BFU reported on Oct 29th 2018, that the occurrence was reported to them. Data collection is in progress to rate the occurrence.
The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Fuerteventura for two hours, then departed for the return flight. The aircraft subsequently remained on the ground in Hamburg for about 9 hours and departed the following morning on schedule.
