TAM B773 near Las Palmas on Feb 22nd 2014, odour on board

A TAM Linhas Aereas Boeing 777-300, registration PT-MUD performing flight JJ-9374 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Sao Paulo Guarulhos,SP (Brazil) with 251 people on board, was enroute at FL320 about 300nm south of Las Palmas,CI (Spain) when the aircraft entered turbulence. Subsequently a unidentifyable odour was noticed in the cabin and dark smoke from the lower deck raising concerns something in the cargo bay might emit the fumes, the crew reported hazardeous goods on board. The aircraft turned around and diverted to Las Palmas for a safe landing at Gran Canaria Airport about one hour after turning around. Attending emergency services found no trace of fire, heat or smoke.

The airline reported fractured equipment within a lavatory was identified as source of the bad odour that passengers had complained about. Chemical materials transported in the cargo hold were not affected.