EMB145 captain reports a thumping noise coming from the nose gear during climb. The captain elects t...

Narrative:

Climbing out at approximately 5;000 ft MSL; a loud bang was heard by both myself and the first officer (first officer). We both thought the sound was from the flight attendant (F/a) moving about in the galley. About a minute went by; and the noise happened again (louder this time) and we both felt a vibration coming from the floorboards. The bang and vibrations continued and felt like they were happening quicker. The F/a called us and advised us that he too heard the noise and the passengers were all looking at him concerned. We (the first officer and myself) discussed the situation and decided the best course of action was made to return. We notified ATC and were given vectors back. We declared an emergency and requested a low approach so ATC can check that the gear was okay and the doors were attached. We did a low approach and then landed. We were met by the arff vehicles and they did a gear check once we were clear of the runway. We then taxied back to the gate and were met by maintenance. They said that it was probably the nose gear proximity switches going bad. The aircraft had been written up the day prior for the same problem and the proximity switches were apparently replaced and signed off with an 'ops check good'. Unknown sounds and thumps coming from nose gear. Not knowing if the gear doors were securely attached.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: EMB145 Captain reports a thumping noise coming from the nose gear during climb. The Captain elects to return to the departure airport for an uneventful landing. The aircraft had been written up the day prior for the same problem and a repair was accomplished.

Narrative: Climbing out at approximately 5;000 FT MSL; a loud bang was heard by both myself and the First Officer (F/O). We both thought the sound was from the Flight Attendant (F/A) moving about in the galley. About a minute went by; and the noise happened again (louder this time) and we both felt a vibration coming from the floorboards. The bang and vibrations continued and felt like they were happening quicker. The F/A called us and advised us that he too heard the noise and the passengers were all looking at him concerned. We (the F/O and myself) discussed the situation and decided the best course of action was made to return. We notified ATC and were given vectors back. We declared an emergency and requested a low approach so ATC can check that the gear was okay and the doors were attached. We did a low approach and then landed. We were met by the ARFF vehicles and they did a gear check once we were clear of the runway. We then taxied back to the gate and were met by Maintenance. They said that it was probably the nose gear proximity switches going bad. The aircraft had been written up the day prior for the same problem and the proximity switches were apparently replaced and signed off with an 'ops check good'. Unknown sounds and thumps coming from nose gear. Not knowing if the gear doors were securely attached.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.

Attributes
ACN	1153762
Time
Date	201402
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Nose Gear
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

EMB145 captain reports a thumping noise coming from the nose gear during climb. The captain elects to return to the departure airport for an uneventful landing. The aircraft had been written up the day prior for the same problem and a repair was accomplished.