CRJ550 flight crew reported a loud squeal was coming from a service door. A lower altitude was requested and granted.
Synopsis
CRJ550 flight crew reported a loud squeal was coming from a service door. A lower altitude was requested and granted.
Narrative
On flight from ZZZ1 to ZZZ; we experienced an abnormality in flight. At approximately XA:10 we heard a loud persistent noise coming from the cabin. The Captain (Pilot Monitoring) paged the flight attendant and was informed that there was a loud noise coming from the service door. While there were no EICAS messages; the pilot monitoring confirmed that the doors were indicating closed and that there was no abnormalities in cabin pressure. Pilot Monitoring then requested priority handling with center and requested a lower altitude. Center approved a descent from FL200 to 11;000 feet followed by 10;000 feet 2 minutes later. Shortly after leveling off; approach confirmed that we could keep the original squawk code. The decision was made to continue toward our destination due to its proximity and emergency personnel resources.As we flew directly to ZZZ; the Pilot monitoring made a brief announcement to the passengers and checked in on the Flight attendant. While the noise persisted; there were no other indications of a failure. The cabin pressure remained stable for the entire flight and no EICAS messages were triggered. The flight continued to an uneventful landing.After landing and exiting the runway the captain made an announcement to the passenger explaining the presence of the trucks circling the aircraft. The emergency services trucks inspected the exterior of the aircraft and confirmed there was no visible damage. Once the integrity of the aircraft was confirmed; we taxied to the gate with no issue. After parking; the flight attendant paged the cockpit informing the captain of pain in her ear and requested medical personnel check it out. She would later leave with the EMS crew after deboarding was complete.
Second reporter narrative
Operating flight ZZZ1-ZZZ. After leveling off at an intermediate altitude of FL200; shortly after we heard a loud bang from the right side of the aircraft followed by a constant loud hiss. First thing I did was check the cabin pressure and both the differential pressure and the cabin pressure were steady and normal. Within a few seconds; the FA called up and told me she also heard a loud bang and the hissing sound which was extremely loud and according to her; coming from the service door. I told her to get back in her seat and I'd get back to her. Once again; I checked the cabin pressurization and all signs were normal with nothing changing. In addition; I checked the Doors page and all doors were green; indicating they were closed. Regardless; I told the FO we're going to request priority handling and request an immediate descent down to 10;000 which we did. While everything was indicating normal at this point; I was unsure of the status of it and wanted to get down to avoid a depressurization event. At this point we discussed our best options and only being 30 minutes out from ZZZ; we came to an agreement that with it being our destination anyway; being a large airport to provide better emergency services; and being a MX (Maintenance) base; as long as we had no other abnormal indications; we were going to continue. I requested direct routing to ZZZ and also checked to ensure that we had the fuel to get there at our new altitude of 10000; which we did. During this; we also relayed to dispatch our situation and intention to continue to ZZZ. I asked ATC if they wanted us to keep our code or squawk XXXX and they told us to keep the code. I also spoke to the FA again and advised her to remain seated the entire flight; and if she felt comfortable with continuing to ZZZ; which she said yes. I advised her to give me a call if anything changed with the status of the door. I asked ATC to have the trucks ready as a precaution so we could stop after exiting the runway and have them inspect us for any damage before continuing to the gate. I also made a PA informing the pax and to expect to see firetrucks around us when we landed just for an inspection. Aside from the noise; the rest of the flight continued normally and after landing; we were inspected and then taxied to the gate under our own power. Upon completing the shutdown checklist but prior to opening the door; the FA called me and told me she needed EMS since she was now experiencing a very bad ear pain and couldn't hear out of her right ear. I relayed that information to ZZZ Ops so medical could be dispatched to the gate; and also proceeded to let dispatch know as well. No passengers experienced any distress or discomfort as well. A write up was added to the maintenance log book after landing in addition to speaking to dispatch and mx about the incident.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.