CRJ-900 flight crew reported a loud squealing from the Main Cabin Door shortly after takeoff. Communications was difficult between the flight crew and the Forward Flight Attendant. The flight crew requested priority handling and burned fuel; then performed and air turn back to land at departure airport.
Synopsis
CRJ-900 flight crew reported a loud squealing from the Main Cabin Door shortly after takeoff. Communications was difficult between the flight crew and the Forward Flight Attendant. The flight crew requested priority handling and burned fuel; then performed and air turn back to land at departure airport.
Narrative
Shortly after takeoff an extremely loud noise was observed; the Captain and I couldn't determine the source until our forward Flight Attendant (FA) called and said the noise was coming from the passenger door. We checked pressurization which was holding normally and the door synoptic page showed the door closed. We assumed it was the door seal but the noise was so loud we could barley hear the FA over the phone passengers could also not hear pa announcements. We immediately determined that we were going to return to ZZZ. As Pilot Monitoring (PM) I messaged Dispatch our situation; and told them we would be returning to ZZZ. We then told Departure our situation and that we needed to return to ZZZ without declaring an emergency. Then we determined how much fuel we would need to burn to be at landing weight and asked to hold while we burned the excess. We held for roughly 45 mins and did exceed holding speed for our alt; but we were given a clearance of 'speed our discretion'. We then got vectors to ILS XXL; the longest Runway available and landed roughly 300 LBS above max gross landing weight; the landing was soft. We pulled into the Gate and upon inspection they determined the door seal was extremely damaged. Damaged door seal.
Second reporter narrative
I was working Aircraft X from ZZZ to ZZZ1; and we were climbing after takeoff. All of sudden I began to hear very loud noise coming main cabin door. I immediately called flight deck; and advised the Captain about very loud banging noise. The Captain asked me to monitor the noise. I called back the flight deck; and told the Captain that the banging noise became progressively worse; and I asked him; if we should turn back to ZZZ.!! The Captain called me back; and said that we are going to return back to ZZZ; then the Captain made PA; advised the passengers that we would be returning to ZZZ. I called the flight deck; and asked Captain; if we are going into an emergency. The Captain advised me that we are going to have normal landing; and we will have to dump the fuel; before we would be able to land. Captain made PA announcement regarding normal landing; and we would be flying in holding pattern before we can land; and because of very loud noise coming from outside; the passengers could not hear his PA; because of very loud noise coming from outside; and Captain asked me to make all announcements regarding normal landing in ZZZ. I made all compliance announcements; and made compliance checks in the cabin. After landing in ZZZ; aft Flight Attendant advised me that she would be going to hospital because of severe ear-ache.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.