Cases › DCA11IA040 › Cockpit voice recorder
Airbus A320United Airlines
258 lines · 06:53:45.8 – 07:16:02.9 · New Orleans, LA, 2011-04-04
The NTSB cautions that a transcript is not a precise science and, taken out of context, can mislead. These are the last words of real people — handle with care.
258 of 258 lines
CaptainFirst officerControllersWarningsSounds
The final secondsjump to the end ↓
- 07:15:38.6HOT-2I got it. DCA11IA040
- 07:15:43.9RDO-2heading one four zero two thousand until established. cleared for ILS— ILS runway one zero approach United four ninety seven.
- 07:15:50.9HOT-2okay I have no way to put that in so it's gonna be a visual.
- 07:15:52.4HOT[sound of continuous repetitive chime until end of recording]
- 07:15:52.8HOT-1yeah.
- 07:15:56.3HOT-1select gear down.
- 07:15:57.8HOT-2gear down?
- 07:15:58.5HOT-1yeah. let's go to the emergency...
- 07:16:00.0CAM[sound similar to landing gear deployment]
- 07:16:02.9HOT-1right one four—.
Crew communication
258 lines readobservations a human-factors reviewer takes from a transcript — the sterile cockpit, the Board's own notations, rhythm, CRM markers. Not emotions, not scores: the affect is in the audio, and the audio is sealed50 / 44
floor share · CA / FO %
6%
non-pertinent talk in sterile window
2 · 4 · 2
laughter · delivery · expletives
5 of 37
crew questions unanswered in 8 s
1 of 2
warnings with a crew response in 5 s
Sterile cockpit · 14 CFR 121.542
Windows: 06:53:48–06:58:43, 07:01:20–07:11:42 · basis: recorder pressure altitude below 10,000 ft. Candidate non-pertinent lines below are a first reading for the investigator, not a finding.
- 06:57:54.0“yeah let's close early and get out of here man. **.”
- 07:03:51.8“to right and then left all the way to the end.”
- 07:07:41.7“let's get the # outta here. let's get the # outta here man.”
- 07:10:25.7“okay ECAM I got the uh— uh you got the jet. I got this.”
- 07:10:54.5“we— we got a no # uh deal. blower off.”
The Board’s own notations
Delivery and physiological notes the transcribers added in brackets, plus # expletives. 20 words are marked unintelligible (*).
- sound similar to increasing engine RPM07:03:48.2“[sound similar to increasing engine RPM]”
- #07:07:41.7“let's get the # outta here. let's get the # outta here man.”
- sound of single chime07:10:42.4“[sound of single chime]”
- sound of single chime07:10:53.3“[sound of single chime]”
- #07:10:54.5“we— we got a no # uh deal. blower off.”
- sound of single chime07:12:48.7“[sound of single chime]”
Silences of 45 s or more
- 177 s06:58:42.1 → 07:01:38.7in sterile window
- 65 s06:55:06.2 → 06:56:11.4in sterile window
- 48 s06:55:11.6 → 06:55:59.9in sterile window
Concerns voiced, and what followed
Hedged or questioning lines from one pilot in the critical window, with the other pilot’s next words.
- 06:54:45.3“wow where's that noise coming from?”→ 06:54:50.6“nope.”
- 06:58:29.0“it's eleven twenty is that local? we get in at twelve forty three?”→ 06:58:33.7“yeah and we're uh—.”
- 07:05:05.1“takeoff configuration normal. ECAM status check is complete. I thought we had a status message before. did it fix itself?”→ 07:05:15.6“CFDS yeah.”
- 07:09:23.6“four nine seven. is that right?”→ 07:09:24.7“four nine seven.”
- 07:10:08.7“alright landing gear's up. flaps up. alright wait a minute what do we got here.”→ 07:10:30.2“I got the jet.”
- 07:10:40.9“where are where's our cabin fans? that's um—.”→ 07:10:48.2“what's that?”
- 07:10:48.2“what's that?”→ 07:10:49.0“your autoflight's just went off.”
- 07:13:26.4“we're overweight too I think.”→ 07:13:38.5“are you there?”
Warnings and the response
- 07:13:10.6[sound similar to altitude alert]→ 1 s later: 07:13:11.6“two thousand?”
- 07:15:11.5[sound similar to altitude alert]→ no crew words within 5 s
Questions between the pilots left unanswered
- 06:56:56.3“yeah you want to go with us?”
- 07:02:56.8“ready for it?”
- 07:05:05.1“takeoff configuration normal. ECAM status check is complete. I thought we had a status message before. did it fix itself?”
- 07:14:13.9“are you there there?”
- 07:14:47.4“you got the radio for a sec?”
Standard callouts
V1Rotate / VrV2Positive rateGear upGear down1,000 ft · not in transcript500 ft · not in transcriptMinimums · not in transcriptRunway in sight · not in transcriptGo around · not in transcriptStabilized · not in transcript
“Not in transcript” never means “not said”: a line may be unintelligible, or the recording may not cover that phase.
Language, as counts
| Speaker | words | questions | hedges | exclamations | expletives | checklists | non-pertinent lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | 716 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| First officer | 627 | 31 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Observer / jumpseat | 97 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Read next to the Board’s coded human-factors findings on the case page. The NTSB cautions that a transcript is not a precise science; these are pointers into it, for a trained reader to weigh.
Hover a line to bookmark it or write a note against it — the note keeps the line’s time, speaker and words.
06:53:45.8STASTARTOF RECORDINGp.9
06:53:45.8STASTARTOF TRANSCRIPTp.9
06:53:46.1FOCAM-2* good. got our clearance. looking good.p.9
06:53:54.2FOCAM-2* pressure. okay.p.9
06:53:56.1◦CAM[background noise]p.9
06:53:57.9CAHOT-1yes sir. go.p.9
06:53:58.9FOHOT-2departure briefing?p.9
06:53:59.7CAHOT-1complete.p.9
06:53:59.9FOHOT-2FMGC radios?p.9
06:54:00.8CAHOT-1programmed set verified.p.9
06:54:01.8FOHOT-2programmed set verified. ADIRS?p.9
06:54:02.9CAHOT-1nav aligned.p.9
06:54:03.5FOHOT-2fuel panel? DCA11IA040p.9
06:54:03.6CAHOT-1six pumps on. cross feeds closed.p.10
06:54:05.6FOHOT-2fuel quantity?p.10
06:54:06.1CAHOT-1*.p.10
06:54:07.2CAHOT-1we've got uh fuel quantity. we've got thirty four four. uh verified.p.10
06:54:13.3FOHOT-2verified. cabin signs?p.10
06:54:14.2CAHOT-1on.p.10
06:54:14.6FOHOT-2oxygen check?p.10
06:54:15.6CAHOT-1complete.p.10
06:54:15.9FOHOT-2complete. engine master switches?p.10
06:54:17.2CAHOT-1off.p.10
06:54:17.4FOHOT-2parking brake?p.10
06:54:18.2CAHOT-1(set or check). pressure normal.p.10
06:54:19.2FOHOT-2altimeters? DCA11IA040p.10
06:54:19.8CAHOT-1uh. good question. two nine eight four.p.11
06:54:22.2FOHOT-2eighty four is set.p.11
06:54:23.6FOHOT-2airspeed?p.11
06:54:24.9CAHOT-1air— uh. fourteen eleven. airspeed gross weight of uh one fifty three fifty four card. flaps three. thirty seven. thirty seven. forty one.p.11
06:54:34.5FOHOT-2gross weight one fifty three card. flaps three. negative flex. thirty seven. thirty seven. forty one. set. nosewheel steering disconnect message?p.11
06:54:42.1CAHOT-1displayed.p.11
06:54:42.5FOCAM-2okay.p.11
06:54:45.3CAHOT-1wow where's that noise coming from?p.11
06:54:48.7CAHOT-1it's not your window. is it?p.11
06:54:50.6FOCAM-2nope.p.11
06:54:54.9CAHOT-1[sound similar to three mic keys] DCA11IA040p.11
06:55:06.2FOCAM-2**.p.12
06:56:11.4FOHOT-2that’s noisy.p.12
06:55:11.6CAHOT-1wow...that's noisy.p.12
06:55:59.9◦CAM[sound similar to electric seat motor]p.12
06:56:04.5CAINT-1hello hello.p.12
06:56:09.8CAHOT-1there goes the door.p.12
06:56:48.8OBCAM-3hi. do you guys have everything?p.12
06:56:51.4CAHOT-1good to go.p.12
06:56:52.4OBCAM-3good to go?p.12
06:56:53.1CAHOT-1yeah.p.12
06:56:53.6OBCAM-3alright. then I'll close you up.p.12
06:56:56.3CAHOT-1yeah you want to go with us?p.12
06:56:57.4OBCAM-3I wish I could. I love San Francisco. DCA11IA040p.12
06:56:59.0CAHOT-1well just— just come on we'll go.p.13
06:57:01.8OBCAM-3I know. right? by the time you make it to the taxiway...p.13
06:57:06.4CAHOT-1oh you'll be home.p.13
06:57:07.1OBCAM-3they will be opening up them door taking me off.p.13
06:57:09.4CAHOT-1[sound of laughter] see you later.p.13
06:57:13.4OBCAM-3bye.p.13
06:57:18.5FOCAM-2little windy here this morning.p.13
06:57:22.2CAHOT-1groovy.p.13
06:57:36.6CAHOT-1it was windy last night.p.13
06:57:54.0FOCAM-2yeah let's close early and get out of here man. **.p.13
06:57:57.7CAHOT-1yeah there we go.p.13
06:58:10.8FOCAM-2**.p.13
06:58:12.3CAHOT-1yeah. [sound of laughter] got to be in * after that. DCA11IA040p.13
06:58:15.3FOCAM-2do we need this one? this one doesn't matter. it's the LA one right?p.14
06:58:17.9CAHOT-1it's the LA one that matters.p.14
06:58:29.0FOCAM-2it's eleven twenty is that local? we get in at twelve forty three?p.14
06:58:33.7CAHOT-1yeah and we're uh—.p.14
06:58:34.2FOCAM-2we'll get in— we'll get in before that. Denver weather's good I hope.p.14
06:58:37.4INTINT-4and pre departure check is complete. **.p.14
06:58:42.1CAINT-1okay roger that. would you like the brakes and we'll call—. [POWER INTERRUPTION LASTING FROM 6:58:44 TO 7:01:19.7]p.14
07:01:38.7INTINT-4pin is out. towbar removed.p.14
07:01:40.8CAINT-1okay you’re cleared disconnect. I’ll watch for your salute. and ya’ll have a nice day.p.14
07:01:44.9INTINT-4you have a good flight.p.14
07:01:45.9CAINT-1thank you. DCA11IA040p.14
07:01:46.0FOHOT-2clear on two. here goes.p.15
07:01:47.3CAHOT-1*.p.15
07:02:11.8CAHOT-1salute and release from guidance.p.15
07:02:55.1FOHOT-2clear on flaps. here goes.p.15
07:02:56.8CAHOT-1ready for it?p.15
07:03:00.7CAHOT-1full up…full down. neutral.p.15
07:03:05.0FOHOT-2check.p.15
07:03:05.7CAHOT-1full left...full right. neutral.p.15
07:03:09.3FOHOT-2check.p.15
07:03:09.8CAHOT-1rudder. left...center...right...center.p.15
07:03:13.6FOHOT-2check. check.p.15
07:03:15.3CAHOT-1ready when you are sir.p.15
07:03:22.1FOHOT-2APU's coming down. here we go. DCA11IA040p.15
07:03:25.1FORDO-2ground United four ninety seven off of charlie five now with hotel ready for taxi.p.16
07:03:30.9ATCGNDUnited four ninety seven runway one niner taxi via echo sierra cross runway two eight and two four on sierra.p.16
07:03:38.8FORDO-2alright echo sierra cross two eight and two four on sierra for United four ninety seven runway one niner thanks.p.16
07:03:42.9CAHOT-1clear over here.p.16
07:03:43.9FOHOT-2clear right.p.16
07:03:45.4CAHOT-1echo sierra. got it.p.16
07:03:48.2◦CAM[sound similar to increasing engine RPM]p.16
07:03:50.2FOHOT-2echo sierra. cross two eight two four.p.16
07:03:51.8CAHOT-1to right and then left all the way to the end.p.16
07:03:56.2FOHOT-2right and then left. two eight and two— yeah that makes sense.p.16
07:04:15.7FOHOT-2ready to read em and weep?p.16
07:04:17.2CAHOT-1let's do it. DCA11IA040p.16
07:04:18.4FOHOT-2before takeoff checklist. control check?p.17
07:04:20.4CAHOT-1complete.p.17
07:04:20.9FOHOT-2complete. engine anti-ice?p.17
07:04:21.9CAHOT-1it's off.p.17
07:04:22.5FOHOT-2autobrake?p.17
07:04:23.8CAHOT-1max.p.17
07:04:24.3FOHOT-2flaps?p.17
07:04:25.5CAHOT-1three planned three indicated uh detent.p.17
07:04:28.4FOHOT-2engine mode selector?p.17
07:04:29.9CAHOT-1normal.p.17
07:04:30.7FOHOT-2takeoff weight change minus seventeen hundred pounds. speeds checked and set.p.17
07:04:34.0CAHOT-1set. DCA11IA040p.17
07:04:34.6FOHOT-2trim twenty six point eight percent zero. FMGC's runway one nine radar vectors...set.p.18
07:04:42.8CAHOT-1set.p.18
07:04:43.1FOHOT-2GPWS radar display?p.18
07:04:44.5CAHOT-1terrain.p.18
07:04:44.9FOHOT-2terrain. PWS is auto. thrust?p.18
07:04:46.7CAHOT-1it is uh one point three nine one. flex EPR set.p.18
07:04:50.5FOHOT-2FCU?p.18
07:04:51.7CAHOT-1managed speed uh one ninety uh five. one ninety three okay yeah. one ninety three. and uh four thousand set.p.18
07:04:55.0FOHOT-2ninety three.p.18
07:05:05.1FOHOT-2takeoff configuration normal. ECAM status check is complete. I thought we had a status message before. did it fix itself?p.18
07:05:15.6CAHOT-1CFDS yeah.p.18
07:05:18.8FOHOT-2alright clear. DCA11IA040p.18
07:05:19.6CAHOT-1all clear.p.19
07:05:35.8PA-PA-5[sound of Rhapsody in Blue] thank you for your attention. the flight attendants will now come through the aisle for their final safety check. if you have any questions regarding your safety please ask a flight attendant. [FO monitoring PA]p.19
07:05:46.8FOPA-2flight attendants prepare for takeoff please.p.19
07:05:58.1FOHOT-2little less than a minute to go on the engine and we are good. it's all coming together.p.19
07:06:00.4CAHOT-1roger roger.p.19
07:06:29.6CAHOT-1clear to cross. all clear.p.19
07:06:31.6FOHOT-2clear right.p.19
07:06:44.1FOHOT-2alright you're up on tower twenty five five.p.19
07:06:46.3CAHOT-1roger that.p.19
07:06:47.3FOHOT-2roger.p.19
07:07:19.3FORDO-2tower good morning. United four ninety seven approaching runway one nine ready for release. DCA11IA040p.19
07:07:28.0ATCTWRUnited four ninety seven runway one niner. fly the runway heading. cleared for takeoff.p.20
07:07:32.3FORDO-2runway heading. cleared for takeoff. runway one nine. thanks very much United four nine seven.p.20
07:07:35.2ATCTWRany time.p.20
07:07:36.4FOHOT-2final items. cabin notification complete. transponder traffic. takeoff memo's green. before takeoff checklist complete.p.20
07:07:39.9CAHOT-1roger roger.p.20
07:07:41.7FOHOT-2let's get the # outta here. let's get the # outta here man.p.20
07:07:41.9CAHOT-1brakes are released. you got it man. throttles yours.p.20
07:07:48.9CAHOT-1whatever you want to do.p.20
07:07:54.7FOHOT-2alright here comes the power.p.20
07:07:59.5◦CAM[sound similar to engine rpm increase]p.20
07:08:09.1FOHOT-2MAN TOGA. SRS. runway.p.20
07:08:17.3CAHOT-1eighty knots. thrust set. DCA11IA040p.20
07:08:28.8CAHOT-1V one V R V two.p.21
07:08:36.2FOHOT-2positive climb. gear up.p.21
07:08:42.4FOHOT-2pull for heading please.p.21
07:08:45.0CAHOT-1done.p.21
07:08:56.9ATCTWRUnited four ninety seven contact departure. good day.p.21
07:08:59.8FORDO-2and four ninety seven departure. good day.p.21
07:09:01.7◦CAM[sound similar to engine rpm decrease]p.21
07:09:04.2FOHOT-2let's go flaps one please.p.21
07:09:07.6CARDO-1departure United four ninety seven. uh fifteen hundred climbing to four thousand.p.21
07:09:17.9CARDO-1one five fifteen thousand. right turn two fifty uh United uh four nine seven. DCA11IA040p.21
07:09:23.6CAHOT-1four nine seven. is that right?p.22
07:09:24.7FOHOT-2four nine seven.p.22
07:09:26.6FOHOT-2one five thousand. got it. heading two fifty. here we go.p.22
07:09:45.9FOHOT-2and flaps up please. after takeoff checklist at your leisure.p.22
07:10:08.7CAHOT-1alright landing gear's up. flaps up. alright wait a minute what do we got here.p.22
07:10:25.7CAHOT-1okay ECAM I got the uh— uh you got the jet. I got this.p.22
07:10:30.2FOHOT-2I got the jet.p.22
07:10:30.8CAHOT-1perceptible smoke.p.22
07:10:31.5FOHOT-2give me two twenty * stand by.p.22
07:10:33.0CAHOT-1there you go.p.22
07:10:34.8CAHOT-1mask on. we don't have that.p.22
07:10:36.2CAHOT-1cabin fans off. DCA11IA040p.22
07:10:38.0CAHOT-1blower...cabin fans.p.23
07:10:40.9CAHOT-1where are where's our cabin fans? that's um—.p.23
07:10:42.4◦HOT[sound of single chime]p.23
07:10:43.6◦CAM[sound similar to engine rpm increase]p.23
07:10:46.6CAHOT-1hey you lost the autopilot too.p.23
07:10:48.2FOHOT-2what's that?p.23
07:10:49.0CAHOT-1your autoflight's just went off.p.23
07:10:51.4CAHOT-1auto— autopilot won't *.p.23
07:10:53.3◦HOT[sound of single chime]p.23
07:10:54.5CAHOT-1we— we got a no # uh deal. blower off.p.23
07:10:57.7CAHOT-1cabin fans. where the hell are they at? uh there on your side.p.23
07:10:59.1◦CAM[sound similar to engine rpm decrease]p.23
07:11:04.0CAHOT-1cabin fans off. DCA11IA040p.23
07:11:08.0CAHOT-1blower override.p.24
07:11:11.6CAHOT-1uh extract to override.p.24
07:11:18.1CAHOT-1electrical generator uh line off.p.24
07:11:22.8CAHOT-1line one off.p.24
07:11:29.8CAHOT-1okay emergency electrical power man on when uh emergency generator available. gen two off.p.24
07:11:38.4CAHOT-1gen two.p.24
07:11:40.2FOHOT-2you want me to start getting vectors back?p.24
07:11:41.4CAHOT-1yeah uh gen two off. [POWER INTERRUPTION LASTING FROM 7:11:43.5 to 7:11:49.2]p.24
07:11:50.0◦HOT[sound of continuous repetitive chime]p.24
07:11:50.4CAHOT-1we just went to uh—. *.p.24
07:11:54.7CARDO-1and United uh—. DCA11IA040p.24
07:11:58.4CAHOT-1I don't— I don't know if we want that do we?p.25
07:12:01.2CAHOT-1min RAT speed one forty. good God we're in emergency electric config.p.25
07:12:04.7FOHOT-2yup confirm. let's go back.p.25
07:12:05.5CARDO-1uh United one uh—.p.25
07:12:08.9CARDO-1four ninety seven we need a vector back to the airport. we got a uh smoke uh issue with the airplane.p.25
07:12:21.6CARDO-1right zero three zero. four thousand. we'd like the longest runway too please.p.25
07:12:38.5CARDO-1okay roger that.p.25
07:12:39.8CARDO-1we're emergency airplane too.p.25
07:12:40.0FOHOT-2alright. DCA11IA040p.25
07:12:44.0CAHOT-1aw great I've lost my ability.p.26
07:12:46.2FOHOT-2alright five for four.p.26
07:12:47.9FOHOT-2zero two zero turn—.p.26
07:12:48.7◦HOT[sound of single chime]p.26
07:12:49.5CAHOT-1yeah zero three zero...four thousand.p.26
07:12:51.5FOHOT-2alright I have no instruments though.p.26
07:12:53.3CAHOT-1I tell you what. I got it.p.26
07:12:54.3FOHOT-2you got the aircraft. it's your aircraft. I got the radios.p.26
07:12:54.5CAHOT-1yeah go ahead and uh give the uh flight attendants a call.p.26
07:13:02.6FORDO-2alright pilot's discretion to two thousand for United four ninety seven. we are declaring an emergency. and please roll the equipment for our landing please. DCA11IA040p.26
07:13:10.6◦HOT[sound similar to altitude alert]p.27
07:13:11.6FOHOT-2two thousand?p.27
07:13:12.3CAHOT-1two thousand.p.27
07:13:13.3FOHOT-2alright zero three zero?p.27
07:13:14.9CAHOT-1zero three zero. two thousand.p.27
07:13:19.6FOHOT-2should I call her in the back?p.27
07:13:20.6CAHOT-1yeah.p.27
07:13:26.4CAHOT-1we're overweight too I think.p.27
07:13:33.8CARDO-1uh we'd prefer the long one.p.27
07:13:38.5FOINT-2are you there?p.27
07:13:41.9CARDO-1roger.p.28
07:14:01.8CAHOT-1if you can't get ahold of her just open the door and yell at her— holler at her. here try uh—.p.28
07:14:09.2FOPA-2flight attendants call the cockpit please.p.28
07:14:13.9CAINT-1are you there there?p.28
07:14:19.7CAHOT-1flaps one.p.28
07:14:22.1FOHOT-2one.p.28
07:14:25.1FOHOT-2you want me to get up?p.28
07:14:25.9CAHOT-1yeah that's fine.p.28
07:14:30.8FOHOT-2uh no seat. I can't get back.p.28
07:14:32.6CAHOT-1yeah uh reach.p.28
07:14:33.2FOHOT-2adjust it. DCA11IA040p.28
07:14:37.1FORDO-2United four ninety seven. souls one hundred and six souls on board. fuel remaining thirty two thousand four hundred uh pounds.p.29
07:14:47.4FOHOT-2you got the radio for a sec?p.29
07:14:48.0◦HOT[sound of movement of the first officer's boom microphone]p.29
07:14:55.7CARDO-1uh we need uh runway ten.p.29
07:14:57.4◦HOT[sound of movement of the first officer's boom microphone]p.29
07:14:59.5FOHOT-2I'm off.p.29
07:15:00.5◦HOT[sound of movement of the first officer's boom microphone]p.29
07:15:05.5CARDO-1okay we're emergency aircraft you need to clear that for us. DCA11IA040p.29
07:15:11.5◦HOT[sound similar to altitude alert]p.30
07:15:14.1◦CAM[sound similar to metallic clang]p.30
07:15:18.5CAHOT-1** two thousand okay.p.30
07:15:22.0FOHOT-2[sound of movement of the first officer's boom microphone]p.30
07:15:22.2CAHOT-1tell her to remain in their uh seats— uh when we land tell them to remain in their seats if uh **.p.30
07:15:26.6FOHOT-2you got it.p.30
07:15:29.5CAHOT-1PA should be working.p.30
07:15:35.7CAHOT-1the RAT’s out.p.30
07:15:38.6FOHOT-2I got it. DCA11IA040p.30
07:15:43.9FORDO-2heading one four zero two thousand until established. cleared for ILS— ILS runway one zero approach United four ninety seven.p.31
07:15:50.9FOHOT-2okay I have no way to put that in so it's gonna be a visual.p.31
07:15:52.4◦HOT[sound of continuous repetitive chime until end of recording]p.31
07:15:52.8CAHOT-1yeah.p.31
07:15:56.3CAHOT-1select gear down.p.31
07:15:57.8FOHOT-2gear down?p.31
07:15:58.5CAHOT-1yeah. let's go to the emergency...p.31
07:16:00.0◦CAM[sound similar to landing gear deployment]p.31
07:16:02.9CAHOT-1right one four—.p.31