Dash8-100 flight crew reports being dispatched with kns navigation system MEL'ed and discovers; once...

Attributes
ACN	816328
Time
Date	200812
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	airport : zzz.airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zzz.artcc tracon : zzz.tracon
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Dash 8-100
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	climbout : intermediate altitude
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
ASRS Report	816328
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : less severe
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance flight crew : diverted to another airport flight crew : landed as precaution
Consequence	other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Aircraft Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Aircraft

Narrative:

Flight was initially delayed for a maintenance problem with the #2 attitude heading reference system. After maintenance was completed; the flight crew took their position on the flight deck and completed their preflight duties. The crew noted that aircraft had the kns navigation system MEL'ed and took the appropriate actions verifying the route and navigation facilities to be used. All radios were set prior to departure and the aircraft departed. During the initial climbout; departure gave a clearance to proceed direct to VOR. I informed the controller that we were unable to proceed to the assigned fix because our RNAV system was inoperative. Alternate instructions were issued. About this time I reached up to check the navigation frequency and course selection and found the #1 navigation display blank and an 'off' flag on the #1 HSI. During the climb to cruise altitude; several attempts were made to contact dispatch on the SELCAL system but were unsuccessful. I tried resetting the VOR #1 circuit breaker twice but the radio would not remain powered for more than a few seconds. I even tried turning on the kns frequency page to get the navigation #1 radio to work but with no success. After discussing the alternatives with my first officer; we elected to notify ATC of our equipment malfunction and return. I was able to contact operations to relay a message to dispatch and operations about our return. The flight attendant and passengers were notified and the flight returned for repairs without further incident.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Dash8-100 flight crew reports being dispatched with KNS navigation system MEL'ed and discovers; once airborne; that the VOR receiver is also inoperative. Crew elects to return.

Narrative: Flight was initially delayed for a maintenance problem with the #2 Attitude Heading Reference System. After maintenance was completed; the Flight Crew took their position on the flight deck and completed their preflight duties. The Crew noted that Aircraft had the KNS navigation system MEL'ed and took the appropriate actions verifying the route and navigation facilities to be used. All radios were set prior to departure and the aircraft departed. During the initial climbout; Departure gave a clearance to proceed direct to VOR. I informed the Controller that we were unable to proceed to the assigned fix because our RNAV system was inoperative. Alternate instructions were issued. About this time I reached up to check the navigation frequency and course selection and found the #1 Navigation Display blank and an 'off' flag on the #1 HSI. During the climb to cruise altitude; several attempts were made to contact Dispatch on the SELCAL system but were unsuccessful. I tried resetting the VOR #1 CB twice but the radio would not remain powered for more than a few seconds. I even tried turning on the KNS frequency page to get the Navigation #1 radio to work but with no success. After discussing the alternatives with my First Officer; we elected to notify ATC of our equipment malfunction and return. I was able to contact operations to relay a message to Dispatch and operations about our return. The Flight Attendant and passengers were notified and the flight returned for repairs without further incident.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of May 2009 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.

Dash8-100 flight crew reports being dispatched with kns navigation system MEL'ed and discovers; once airborne; that the VOR receiver is also inoperative. Crew elects to return.