Stuck microphone switch caused loss of radio communication.

Attributes
ACN	106588
Time
Date	198903
Day	Fri
Local Time Of Day	1801 To 2400
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : mzb airport : myf
State Reference	CA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 7000 msl bound upper : 7000
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : san tracon : cmh
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, Low Wing, 1 Eng, Fixed Gear
Flight Phase	cruise other descent : approach landing other
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : private
Experience	flight time total : 2100
ASRS Report	106588
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : less severe non adherence : clearance other anomaly other
Independent Detector	aircraft equipment other aircraft equipment : unspecified other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	aircraft : equipment problem dissipated flight crew : overcame equipment problem
Consequence	faa : reviewed incident with flight crew Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Aircraft
Air Traffic Incident	other

Narrative:

Communication units and audio control switch on wheel just repaired. Microphone (audio) switch on what jammed and communications impossible. Approaching mission bay 20-30 mi from north the communication was inaudible. As I approached mission bay VOR there was good reception. I descended from 7000' which I had maintained while attempting to receive approach directions. I was in VFR and elected not to land at montgomery VFR until I had radio contact. I am not familiar with san diego area and did not want to chance being in way of aircraft landing or taking off at montgomery field. I was on radar and anti-collision and navigation lights on. Approach knew where I was and so did I at all times. I was observing closely. I am here (montgomery) for my annual instrument refresher. I have discussed my action with approach and my instrument instrument. Next time in VFR conditions I will land VFR and not pass my point of clearance (mission bay VOR). Approach control was very helpful.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: STUCK MIC SWITCH CAUSED LOSS OF RADIO COM.

Narrative: COM UNITS AND AUDIO CTL SWITCH ON WHEEL JUST REPAIRED. MIC (AUDIO) SWITCH ON WHAT JAMMED AND COMS IMPOSSIBLE. APCHING MISSION BAY 20-30 MI FROM N THE COM WAS INAUDIBLE. AS I APCHED MISSION BAY VOR THERE WAS GOOD RECEPTION. I DSNDED FROM 7000' WHICH I HAD MAINTAINED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RECEIVE APCH DIRECTIONS. I WAS IN VFR AND ELECTED NOT TO LAND AT MONTGOMERY VFR UNTIL I HAD RADIO CONTACT. I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH SAN DIEGO AREA AND DID NOT WANT TO CHANCE BEING IN WAY OF ACFT LNDG OR TAKING OFF AT MONTGOMERY FIELD. I WAS ON RADAR AND ANTI-COLLISION AND NAV LIGHTS ON. APCH KNEW WHERE I WAS AND SO DID I AT ALL TIMES. I WAS OBSERVING CLOSELY. I AM HERE (MONTGOMERY) FOR MY ANNUAL INSTRUMENT REFRESHER. I HAVE DISCUSSED MY ACTION WITH APCH AND MY INSTRUMENT INSTR. NEXT TIME IN VFR CONDITIONS I WILL LAND VFR AND NOT PASS MY POINT OF CLRNC (MISSION BAY VOR). APCH CTL WAS VERY HELPFUL.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of August 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.