The Problem with the Air in the Air
An investigation into the technical trade-offs, toxic residues, and the "bleed air" legacy that the airline industry calls an "odor incident"—but crew members call a life-altering hazard.
Daniel “Eric” Tellman was almost home.
Tellman, first officer on Spirit Airlines flight NK-708, had already been aloft for most of the day when he took the controls of the Airbus A319-100, beginning the descent towards Boston Logan Airport.
Suddenly, an acrid smell, like ‘dirty socks,’ filled the flight deck.
Air Traffic Co…
