<< >> NASA ASRS Report 871897, February 2010

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.

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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.