 |
37000 Feet | Browse and search NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System |
|
Md-11 captain reported returning to departure airport after both HF radios failed.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1701651 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201911 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | KZAK.ARTCC |
| State Reference | CA |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | MD-11 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | HF SSB |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
Both HF radios and satcom tested ok during preflight; although I noticed an extended amount of time; 5-10 seconds to tune HF #2. HF #1 and HF #2 were respectively set/tuned to ZZZ radio primary/secondary on the ground. Upon reaching cruise; although we could hear ZZZ radio; we could no longer tune a new HF frequency or transmit on HF1 or 2; nor receive SELCAL. Satcom voice was intermittent with several failed attempts to contact dispatch.cpdlc (controller pilot data link communications) was working with center; so we texted and advised them of the scenario and that we were attempting to work with dispatch and maintenance on a plan of action. When we finally got a hold of dispatch/maintenance; maintenance suggested we might try circuit breaker resets of one/both radios; but the aom does permit it for the HF system because it is not a procedure in the QRH or aom. Dispatcher suggested we follow aom/QRH procedures. Fom requires at least one HF functional for the cepac RNP10 airspace. Although center was willing to let us proceed; via cpdlc text; with the spotty satcom and an fom that mandated at least one fully functional HF with satcom; there seemed to be no other option but to [return to the departure airport]. We decided to [amend release and return to the departure airport] for maintenance.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: MD-11 Captain reported returning to departure airport after both HF radios failed.
Narrative: Both HF radios and SATCOM tested OK during preflight; although I noticed an extended amount of time; 5-10 seconds to tune HF #2. HF #1 and HF #2 were respectively set/tuned to ZZZ radio primary/secondary on the ground. Upon reaching cruise; although we could hear ZZZ radio; we could no longer tune a new HF frequency or transmit on HF1 or 2; nor receive SELCAL. SATCOM voice was intermittent with several failed attempts to contact Dispatch.CPDLC (Controller Pilot Data Link Communications) was working with Center; so we texted and advised them of the scenario and that we were attempting to work with Dispatch and Maintenance on a plan of action. When we finally got a hold of Dispatch/Maintenance; Maintenance suggested we might try CB resets of one/both radios; but the AOM does permit it for the HF system because it is not a procedure in the QRH or AOM. Dispatcher suggested we follow AOM/QRH procedures. FOM requires at least one HF functional for the CEPAC RNP10 airspace. Although Center was willing to let us proceed; via CPDLC text; with the spotty SATCOM and an FOM that mandated at least one fully functional HF with SATCOM; there seemed to be no other option but to [return to the departure airport]. We decided to [amend release and return to the departure airport] for Maintenance.
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.