B767 flight crew experiences an audio selector panel failure; which produces a loud squeal on the Captain's side; just after takeoff. The Captain's headset is plugged into the second observer's communication panel; eliminating the problem. During cruise the two panels are swapped; restoring the Captain's panel to normal operation and a logbook entry is made.
Synopsis
B767 flight crew experiences an audio selector panel failure; which produces a loud squeal on the Captain's side; just after takeoff. The Captain's headset is plugged into the second observer's communication panel; eliminating the problem. During cruise the two panels are swapped; restoring the Captain's panel to normal operation and a logbook entry is made.
Narrative
Immediately after takeoff; the Captain's audio selector panel failed completely and emitted a loud; continuous shrill squeal through the headset and speaker. All transmission and reception through the Captain's audio select panel were disabled. First Officer flew the aircraft and handled communications during this high workload phase of flight while Relief Pilot monitored and assisted with attempts at restoring my communications. It quickly became obvious that the Captain's audio select panel was not going to be available and continued flight without Captain's audio through speaker or headset and transmissions via microphone; headset or oxygen mask would not be available and compromised safety. Of course; flight in the NAT system would be out of the question. We climbed to our initial cruise altitude and a less demanding environment to sort out the alternatives. With the options being to divert or return to the airport; both involving a dangerous overweight emergency landing; I decided that it might be practical to try swapping audio selector panels with the spare observer panel. While in flight maintenance and troubleshooting would not be the approved method of problem resolution; having been involved in audio panel failures previously as well as two overweight landings; swapping audio panels to avoid an emergency landing; seemed worth a try. This restored all the Captain's communication functions and we continued on without further problems. I regarded the action taken as the most appropriate way to have quickly resumed the safe operation of the flight and assume full responsibility for this action. I appreciate the input given by the First Officer as well as his single pilot skills; having been suddenly and unexpectedly thrust into the situation; immediately after takeoff.
Second reporter narrative
Shortly after takeoff Captain advised he had a loud squeal in his headset that made communication impossible. He asked that I; as the Relief Pilot; plug in his headset to the second observer jack and the squeal disappeared. I went on the first break for the next 2 hours and 35 minutes. After returning from break the Captain took his break. I was informed that while I was gone the communication panel from the second observer's position had been swapped with the Captain's panel. This action resolved the issue with the Captain's panel. After the Captain returned from his break he wrote up in the logbook that the Captain's communication panel was bad and it had been swapped with the second observer's panel correcting the squealing problem for the Captain.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.