An MD80 squawked emergency and deviated around a thunderstorm when ATC was unresponsive to the reque...

Attributes
ACN	946143
Time
Date	201104
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZTL.ARTCC
State Reference	GA
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Track / Heading All Types Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence

Narrative:

Atl center frequency was saturated as we approached a towering cumulonimbus along our route of flight. In spite of center instructing all aircraft to standby; we attempted contact for approximately 4 minutes stating our need to deviate. All calls went unanswered. With no latitude left before deviation from course became absolutely necessary; I changed our squawk to 7700; checked TCAS for nearby traffic; and initiated a right deviation to avoid the thunderstorm. Course change was no more than fifteen degrees. Finally made contact with atl center; advised them of our code 7700; and that we had a initiated deviation. The controller responded; 'no problem; proceed direct meridian when able.' we read back the clearance and advised we were returning to our original squawk code.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An MD80 squawked emergency and deviated around a thunderstorm when ATC was unresponsive to the requests for a deviation; both from the reporters' aircraft and others. The frequency appeared totally saturated and the Controller unable to cope; advising merely that all aircraft 'standby'.

Narrative: ATL Center frequency was saturated as we approached a towering cumulonimbus along our route of flight. In spite of Center instructing all aircraft to standby; we attempted contact for approximately 4 minutes stating our need to deviate. All calls went unanswered. With no latitude left before deviation from course became absolutely necessary; I changed our squawk to 7700; checked TCAS for nearby traffic; and initiated a right deviation to avoid the thunderstorm. Course change was no more than fifteen degrees. Finally made contact with ATL Center; advised them of our code 7700; and that we had a initiated deviation. The Controller responded; 'No problem; proceed direct Meridian when able.' We read back the clearance and advised we were returning to our original squawk code.

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.

An MD80 squawked emergency and deviated around a thunderstorm when ATC was unresponsive to the requests for a deviation; both from the reporters' aircraft and others. The frequency appeared totally saturated and the controller unable to cope; advising merely that all aircraft 'standby'.