Two Pilots, Three FAs Suffer Apparent Exposure To Carbon Monoxide

ANN REALTIME REPORTING 11.05.07 1400 EDT: Five crewmembers onboard a Monday morning US Airways shuttle flight from Washington DC to Boston fell ill, and were treated at the gate at Logan International for symptoms consistent with carbon monoxide poisoning.

Boston's WBZ-TV reports the five crewmembers -- identified as the aircraft's flight crew and cabin attendants -- were then taken to Massachusetts General Hospital. None of the 81 passengers onboard Flight 2022, an Airbus A319, were affected.

All five affected crewmembers were treated with oxygen after complaining of headaches and nausea, Boston EMS Lt. Christopher Stratton told The Associated Press.

A US Airways spokesperson said the crew worked on a different flight earlier in the day, and had complained about a sulfur-like smell onboard that aircraft.

According to online flight tracking website FlightAware.com, Flight 2022 departed Reagan International Airport at 0732 EST, and quickly returned to the airport.

The crew and passengers apparently swapped out another aircraft at that point, and that plane arrived at Logan without incident at 1020 EST.

It's unclear whether the earlier incident was related to the crew's illnesses... or why the passengers were not affected.

"I guess there was some question about a malfunctioning oil pump," Stratton said, but added it "has yet to be determined if that was the initial source."

FMI: www.usairways.com