D-ABIL

On 2 March 2013, at approximately 0849 UTC time, a Boeing 737-530, registration D-ABIL, operated by by Lufthansa, was operating between Franfurt, Germany and Graz, Austria. The crew reported that just after takeoff from Frankfurt, and again about 5 minutes before landing in GRZ, a smell of "old socks" could be observed in the cockpit and the front galley - each time for approximately 3 minutes. The Captain and 1st Officer used oxygen masks while the smell was present. The flight landed normally and there were no injuries.

The incident is being investigated by the Sicherheitsuntersuchungsstelle – Zivilluftfahrt (Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authority) of Austria. The NTSB has appointed an Accredited Representative to assist the investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13 as the State of Design and Manufacture of the aircraft. All inquiries should be directed to the Austrian Accident Investigation Branch at:

BMVIT - IV/BAV/UUB/LF (Unfalluntersuchungsstelle - Luftfahrt)

Federal Office of Transport

Accident Investigation Branch, Department Aviation

Address - Mail: P.O. Box 206, 1000 Wien

Address - Office: Trauzlgasse 1, 1210 Wien

Email : FUS@bmvit.gv.at

Tel.: +43 (0)1 71162-657700 (24 hours)