A MD80 captain refused a single pack aircraft during a high outside air temperature cycle because th...

Narrative:

Logbook indicates single pack placarded. Cabin temperature with conditioned air indicated 92 degrees fahrenheit; OAT 36 degrees celsius (97 F); cockpit temperature measured by thermometer 95F. Conditioned airflow weak - clearly; as soon as ground air was disconnected for pushback; with one air conditioning pack operational the aircraft temperature would soar quickly during our takeoff. Also; the altitude limitation plus short flight time would ensure that the interior would never sufficiently cool and the destination temperature was also 36 degrees celsius. This clearly is a danger to crew and passengers; particularly the very young; very old and those with underlying medical concerns. Flight operations are aware of the aging MD80 fleet and single-pack ops risks and predictable results. It is unsafe to plan and dispatch aircraft this way. I put an entry into the logbook: 'unable to cool cabin and cockpit below 92 degrees with single pack and ground air - unsafe for crew or passengers.' maintenance evaluated the situation and took the aircraft out of service. Clearly; it should have never been in service; according to maintenance; which confirms my experience and my assessment as well. Why are the operations managers and fleet staff still allowing this single-pack risk under these conditions? Do not dispatch MD80's with a single-pack when the OAT is over 80. We know the risk created when we so; so why do the operations and fleet staff continue this dangerous practice?

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A MD80 Captain refused a single pack aircraft during a high outside air temperature cycle because the aircraft's interior temperature would reach an unsafe level for the passengers and crew. The aircraft was removed from service.

Narrative: Logbook indicates single pack placarded. Cabin temperature with conditioned air indicated 92 degrees Fahrenheit; OAT 36 degrees Celsius (97 F); cockpit temperature measured by thermometer 95F. Conditioned airflow weak - clearly; as soon as ground air was disconnected for pushback; with one air conditioning pack operational the aircraft temperature would soar quickly during our takeoff. Also; the altitude limitation plus short flight time would ensure that the interior would never sufficiently cool and the destination temperature was also 36 degrees Celsius. This clearly is a danger to crew and passengers; particularly the very young; very old and those with underlying medical concerns. Flight Operations are aware of the aging MD80 fleet and single-pack ops risks and predictable results. It is unsafe to plan and dispatch aircraft this way. I put an entry into the logbook: 'Unable to cool cabin and cockpit below 92 degrees with single pack and ground air - unsafe for crew or passengers.' Maintenance evaluated the situation and took the aircraft out of service. Clearly; it should have never been IN SERVICE; according to maintenance; which confirms my experience and my assessment as well. Why are the Operations Managers and Fleet Staff still allowing this single-pack risk under these conditions? Do not dispatch MD80's with a single-pack when the OAT is over 80. We know the risk created when we so; so why do the Operations and Fleet Staff continue this dangerous practice?

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.

Attributes
ACN	893311
Time
Date	201006
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Parked
Component
Aircraft Component	Air Conditioning Distribution System
Person 1
Function	Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown

A MD80 captain refused a single pack aircraft during a high outside air temperature cycle because the aircraft's interior temperature would reach an unsafe level for the passengers and crew. The aircraft was removed from service.