By: Simon Hradecky

An Eurowings Airbus A319-100, registration D-AGWJ performing flight 4U-24 from Cologne/Bonn to Berlin Tegel (Germany) with 116 people on board, was in the initial climb out of Cologne’s runway 14L when the crew donned their oxygen masks and decided to return to Cologne reporting fumes on the flight deck. The aircraft levelled off at 2000 feet MSL and returned for a safe landing on runway 14L about 10 minutes after departure. A passenger reported that the aircraft stopped the climb shortly after takeoff and performed a low level circuit to return to Cologne, while on final approach the crew announced there was a smell in the cabin and cockpit, the smell subsided after takeoff power was reduced. Emergency services accompanied the aircraft from the runway to the apron where they disembarked normally via stairs. Seated in the aft cabin the passenger could not smell anything out of the ordinary. A second passenger reported the aircraft returned to Cologne because of the “smell of odour”. There was no apparent smoke or fire, aircraft was received by fire and medical services, the passengers were checked out but did not need medical assistance. Emergency services reported that an emergency doctor and medical staff as well as fire services were dispatched to receive the aircraft, there were no injuries. The entire crew, although not complaining about any health issues, went to see a doctor as a precaution. Representatives of the BFU were on site, first examinations suggest an engine problem rather than a problem of the air conditioning.