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A captain reports excessive airflow noise level in the cockpit that interferes with normal ATC communications. The B757-200 air conditioning duct cleaning had just been completed approximately three weeks earlier with little improvement. Reporter expresses concern that long term exposure to noise can lead to hearing loss.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 871897 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201002 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B757-200 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Descent Initial Approach Climb Final Approach Cruise |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Air Conditioning Distribution System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 210 Flight Crew Total 14000 Flight Crew Type 1000 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown |
Narrative:
Shortly after takeoff from ZZZ; the noise level in the cockpit raised to a level that interfered with normal ATC communication. We continually requested confirmation of clearances from ATC. This aircraft has a chronic problem with noise in the cockpit. In talking with maintenance control prior to this flight; I was advised the duct cleaning had been completed in january 2010. I flew this aircraft just prior to the duct cleaning and also today. There is no noticeable change in noise levels. This is not an isolated incident. I estimate 30-40 percent of all the 757's I fly have unacceptable cockpit noise levels. This chronic condition is extremely fatiguing; requiring the use of ear pieces and ear plugs for the entire flight. Flying these aircraft in their current state; without any serious effort to address this problem in my opinion is a serious mistake and inviting disaster.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A Captain reports excessive airflow noise level in the cockpit that interferes with normal ATC communications. The B757-200 air conditioning duct cleaning had just been completed approximately three weeks earlier with little improvement. Reporter expresses concern that long term exposure to noise can lead to hearing loss.
Narrative: Shortly after takeoff from ZZZ; the noise level in the cockpit raised to a level that interfered with normal ATC communication. We continually requested confirmation of clearances from ATC. This aircraft has a chronic problem with noise in the cockpit. In talking with Maintenance Control prior to this flight; I was advised the duct cleaning had been completed in January 2010. I flew this aircraft just prior to the duct cleaning and also today. There is no noticeable change in noise levels. This is not an isolated incident. I estimate 30-40 percent of all the 757's I fly have unacceptable cockpit noise levels. This chronic condition is extremely fatiguing; requiring the use of ear pieces and ear plugs for the entire flight. Flying these aircraft in their current state; without any serious effort to address this problem in my opinion is a serious mistake and inviting disaster.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.