A C182 survey pilot, distraction by 2 passenger, missed traffic alert xmissions from msy approach.

Attributes
ACN	510660
Time
Date	200105
Day	Wed
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : msy.airport
State Reference	GA
Altitude	msl single value : 1200
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tower : iad.tower
Operator	general aviation : corporate
Make Model Name	Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Phase	cruise : level
Flight Plan	None
Person 1
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : commercial pilot : instrument pilot : multi engine
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 200 flight time total : 5000 flight time type : 2500
ASRS Report	510660
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : less severe conflict : airborne less severe non adherence : published procedure
Resolutory Action	controller : issued advisory flight crew : overcame equipment problem
Consequence	faa : reviewed incident with flight crew
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance Passenger Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance

Narrative:

While operating in the vicinity of msy airport, performing an aerial survey flight, approach control attempted to contact me 3 times to issue TA's for incoming arrs to runway 10. I was unable to clearly understand the instructions because my 2 observers were conversing over the aircraft intercom, making it difficult to understand the approach controller. When I realized that he was calling my aircraft, I turned off the intercom to more clearly understand the controller. There was not really any danger between my aircraft and the arriving aircraft. Separation was at least 1500 ft. The main issue was the lack of communication on my part. In the future, passenger will be asked to be alert for radio calls and to be silent when they hear any.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C182 SURVEY PLT, DISTR BY 2 PAX, MISSED TFC ALERT XMISSIONS FROM MSY APCH.

Narrative: WHILE OPERATING IN THE VICINITY OF MSY ARPT, PERFORMING AN AERIAL SURVEY FLT, APCH CTL ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT ME 3 TIMES TO ISSUE TA'S FOR INCOMING ARRS TO RWY 10. I WAS UNABLE TO CLRLY UNDERSTAND THE INSTRUCTIONS BECAUSE MY 2 OBSERVERS WERE CONVERSING OVER THE ACFT INTERCOM, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND THE APCH CTLR. WHEN I REALIZED THAT HE WAS CALLING MY ACFT, I TURNED OFF THE INTERCOM TO MORE CLRLY UNDERSTAND THE CTLR. THERE WAS NOT REALLY ANY DANGER BTWN MY ACFT AND THE ARRIVING ACFT. SEPARATION WAS AT LEAST 1500 FT. THE MAIN ISSUE WAS THE LACK OF COM ON MY PART. IN THE FUTURE, PAX WILL BE ASKED TO BE ALERT FOR RADIO CALLS AND TO BE SILENT WHEN THEY HEAR ANY.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 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.