Aircraft cabin air contamination – from technical basics to legal disputes

Abstract

Purpose – The presentation summarizes engineering explanations of aircraft cabin air contamination. Passengers (P) and crew members (C) experienced acute and chronic ill health. Some of them died. If organizations deemed responsible for the harm do not adequately compensate the victims, especially crew members saw no other way as to go to court. Furthermore, airlines (A) tried to get financially compensated for costs arising from contaminated cabin air. Manufacturers in general (M) and in particular the aircraft manufacturer (M-AC), the engine manufacturer (M-E) as well as the APU manufacturer (M-APU) are alleged to be responsible for the defects. Fundamentals of aircraft cabin air litigation are presented. The systematic of aircraft cabin air litigation is explained and an introduction to its current state is given. --- Methodology – A review combined with own contributions to the field. --- Findings – For technical reasons, dangerous chemicals (especially engine oil and hydraulic fluids) are in use in passenger aircraft. These substances leave their intended places and get distributed. Unfortunately, while spreading, the substances also arrive in the human body with health and flight safety consequences. Safety has not been taken seriously enough by manufacturers. This led to injury and financial losses. Addressed is the relationship between parties in aviation, their contracts, and further rules to define the relationship. --- Practical implications – People who lately got harmed by aircraft cabin air contamination may find initial orientation from a perspective combining engineering with legal science. --- Social Implications – This presentation can help to raise awareness of a problem waiting to be solved for decades. --- Originality – No comparable text seems to be published.