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Cases › DCA13MA081 › Cockpit voice recorder

BOEING 747-400 BCFNational Air Cargo

233 lines · 09:57:33 – 10:56:47 · Bagram, 2013-04-29

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.
233 of 233 lines
CaptainFirst officerControllersWarningsSounds
The final secondsjump to the end ↓

Crew communication

233 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 sealed
36 / 50
floor share · CA / FO %
0%
non-pertinent talk in sterile window
7 · 2 · 17
laughter · delivery · expletives
1 of 27
crew questions unanswered in 8 s
—
warnings with a crew response in 5 s
CaptainCaptain: 8 in minute 1Captain: 3 in minute 2Captain: 6 in minute 18Captain: 6 in minute 19Captain: 6 in minute 20Captain: 1 in minute 44Captain: 4 in minute 48Captain: 3 in minute 49Captain: 6 in minute 50Captain: 1 in minute 51Captain: 6 in minute 52Captain: 10 in minute 53Captain: 2 in minute 54Captain: 4 in minute 55Captain: 9 in minute 56Captain: 5 in minute 57Captain: 4 in minute 58Captain: 4 in minute 59Captain: 4 in minute 60First officerFirst officer: 10 in minute 1First officer: 3 in minute 2First officer: 2 in minute 18First officer: 4 in minute 19First officer: 6 in minute 20First officer: 1 in minute 32First officer: 5 in minute 48First officer: 3 in minute 49First officer: 4 in minute 50First officer: 1 in minute 51First officer: 7 in minute 52First officer: 5 in minute 53First officer: 4 in minute 54First officer: 5 in minute 55First officer: 7 in minute 56First officer: 8 in minute 57First officer: 7 in minute 58First officer: 6 in minute 59First officer: 1 in minute 60ControllersControllers: 1 in minute 32Controllers: 4 in minute 48Controllers: 1 in minute 49Controllers: 2 in minute 50Controllers: 1 in minute 54Controllers: 1 in minute 57Controllers: 1 in minute 5909:5710:0710:1710:2710:3710:4710:57
Utterances per minute, one row per speaker on one clock. shaded = sterile-cockpit window · red = end of recording.
Sterile cockpit · 14 CFR 121.542

Windows: 07:50:00–08:08:36, 09:05:51–09:19:59 · basis: recorder pressure altitude below 10,000 ft. Candidate non-pertinent lines below are a first reading for the investigator, not a finding; “@” marks the Board's own non-pertinent-word notation.

No candidate non-pertinent conversation inside the window.

The Board’s own notations

Delivery and physiological notes the transcribers added in brackets, plus # expletives. 46 words are marked unintelligible (*).

  • #09:57:37“what the # was that from?”
  • #09:57:39“one of those # straps is busted.”
  • #09:57:56“so you (go on/goin) puttin more straps (on #)?”
  • #09:58:02“did it move? .... # moved?”
  • #09:58:13“you know how that...well you go look at the.... went and looked at them now... all the ones * they had a bunch like this, to keep them from movin backwards...a bunch like this * * movin forward? all the ones that were keepin em from movin backwards were all # loose.”
  • #09:58:28“what the # do you think's gonna happen when you # slam it on the runway and slam on the # brakes and don't use reverse... [said in a joking manner]”
  • #09:58:37“* * I'm putting it on the # # board I'm gettin off this plane, I'm scared. [said in a joking manner]”
  • #10:15:21“that’s scare-... that's # scary-”
  • #10:15:27“I saw that, I was like #, I never heard of such a thing.”
  • #10:15:36“(you'd probably) # yourself.”
  • #10:15:39“those things are so # heavy you'd think though that they probably wouldn't hardly move no matter what.”
  • #10:49:33“I ain’t got # on, man.”
  • #10:50:07“yeah. * what the # yer talking about. 10:50:010”
  • #10:50:07“* #.”
  • #10:50:12“no *. I don't talk to that # anymore.”
  • #10:50:43“* # do a nose over, and put him through the ceiling.”
  • #10:54:00“tryin to # buzz all these people on the road, or what.”
  • sound similar to engines increasing speed10:56:07“[sound similar to engines increasing speed]”
  • from the Aural Voice Annunciation system10:56:35“V1. [from the Aural Voice Annunciation system]”
Silences of 45 s or more
Concerns voiced, and what followed

Hedged or questioning lines from one pilot in the critical window, with the other pilot’s next words.

  • 10:52:10“what's that?”
    → 10:52:11“it’s been an hour and a half.”
  • 10:53:20“zero four zero at one zero. [in response to a wind check provided by the TWR for a landing aircraft]... is that what he just said?”
    → 10:53:23“yeah.”
  • 10:55:03“lineup and wait.”
    → 10:55:04“lineup and wait.”
  • 10:55:04“lineup and wait.”
    → 10:55:44“cleared for takeoff.”
  • 10:56:46“keep on that (wing/weight/wait).”
    → no reply from the other pilot in the next lines
Warnings and the response

No warning-system lines in the transcript.

Questions between the pilots left unanswered
Standard callouts
V1Rotate / VrPositive rateGear upV2 · not in transcript1,000 ft · not in transcript500 ft · not in transcriptMinimums · not in transcriptGear down · 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
Speakerwordsquestionshedgesexclamationsexpletiveschecklistsnon-pertinent lines
Captain49721899015
First officer69710744214
Observer / jumpseat198024708

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.

09:57:33FOCAM-2there’s your trouble Brad.p.11
09:57:35CACAM-1what is it?p.11
09:57:37CACAM-1what the # was that from?p.11
09:57:39FOCAM-2one of those # straps is busted.p.11
09:57:42OBCAM-3* * tire.p.11
09:57:44CACAM-1no no, I know that... * no I know, but....p.11
09:57:45FOCAM-2give you one guess what was right there.p.11
09:57:49CACAM-1what was right where?p.11
09:57:49FOCAM-2right here.p.11
09:57:50CACAM-1a knot?p.11
09:57:51FOCAM-2uh huh.p.11
09:57:52CACAM-1that was the one right at the door?p.11
09:57:54FOCAM-2no... this was at.... * *.p.12
09:57:56CACAM-1so you (go on/goin) puttin more straps (on #)?p.12
09:57:59FOCAM-2(well) it just shifted (apparently/barely).p.12
09:58:01OBCAM-3there was a bunch of them first... that first (truck).p.12
09:58:02CACAM-1did it move? .... # moved?p.12
09:58:04FOCAM-2yes. just tightened up on the straps.p.12
09:58:06FOCAM-2the truck?p.12
09:58:06OBCAM-3* like.... tightened those straps up uh, quite a bit, on the first one.p.12
09:58:13FOCAM-2you know how that...well you go look at the.... went and looked at them now... all the ones * they had a bunch like this, to keep them from movin backwards...a bunch like this * * movin forward? all the ones that were keepin em from movin backwards were all # loose.p.12
09:58:28OBCAM-3what the # do you think's gonna happen when you # slam it on the runway and slam on the # brakes and don't use reverse... [said in a joking manner]p.12
09:58:35CACAM-1[sound of laughter]p.12
09:58:36FOCAM-2there ain't nothin you coulda done about that.p.13
09:58:37OBCAM-3* * I'm putting it on the # # board I'm gettin off this plane, I'm scared. [said in a joking manner]p.13
09:58:43CAMCAM-?* *.p.13
09:58:46CACAM-1thow that out man, that’s evidence. * @ [the loadmaster] don't want that hangin around either.p.13
09:58:50CAMCAM-?no.p.13
09:58:53CACAM-1I hope instead of * rather than just replacing that (strap) I hope he's beefing the straps up more.p.13
09:58:59CAMCAM-?just on that one spot.p.13
09:59:00FOCAM-2yeah.p.13
09:59:02CAMCAM-?all the rest of them are fine.p.13
09:59:06FOCAM-2he's cinching them all down.p.13
10:14:49◦CAM[break in transcript]p.13
10:14:57CACAM-1what’s up, dude?p.13
10:15:01FOCAM-2did you throw that other strap away?p.13
10:15:04CACAM-1what did you - did you put a couple more on?p.14
10:15:11CACAM-1how far did it move.... a couple of inches?p.14
10:15:13CAMCAM-4yeah, they just moved a couple inches... cause you know, its nylon ya know, so.p.14
10:15:20FOCAM-2(you throw some) numbers (in here)?p.14
10:15:21CACAM-1that’s scare-... that's # scary-p.14
10:15:24CACAM-1without a lock (for those big heavy things / ** anything) man I don't like that.p.14
10:15:27CACAM-1I saw that, I was like #, I never heard of such a thing.p.14
10:15:30CAMCAM-?* I'd be kinda interested ta ... wish I could put a camera down there and watch it.....p.14
10:15:36FOCAM-2(you'd probably) # yourself.p.14
10:15:37CACAM-1right.p.14
10:15:37CAMCAM-?see what they do.p.14
10:15:39CACAM-1those things are so # heavy you'd think though that they probably wouldn't hardly move no matter what.p.14
10:15:42CAMCAM-4they always move.... everything moves. If it’s not strapped -p.15
10:15:46CACAM-1no no - I-p.15
10:15:48CAMCAM-4it'll roll on them things [makes a 'motorized' sound]p.15
10:15:51CACAM-1[sound of laughter]p.15
10:16:12◦CAM[break in transcript]p.15
10:16:17FOCAM-2ready to put some numbers in there?p.15
10:16:17CACAM-1yeah go ahead.p.15
10:16:19FOCAM-2alright.... zero fuel weight is...... two fifty nine twop.15
10:16:29CACAM-1three oh seven three.p.15
10:16:32FOCAM-2three oh seven two.p.15
10:16:34CACAM-1full T/Op.15
10:16:36FOCAM-2full T/O, full climb.p.15
10:16:37CACAM-1one oh nine point three?p.15
10:16:39FOCAM-2and that is.... one oh nine three. checks.p.15
10:16:44CACAM-1flaps..... ten.p.16
10:16:47FOCAM-2flaps ten.p.16
10:16:49CACAM-1(thousand feet for acceleration?)p.16
10:16:53FOCAM-2yes sir.p.16
10:17:01CACAM-1fuel?p.16
10:17:05FOCAM-2is..... thirty decimal fourp.16
10:17:08CACAM-1three point eight?p.16
10:17:10FOCAM-2three point seven, checks. [break in transcript]p.16
10:28:47ATCATIS…tower information victor 09:55 observation wind one zero zero at one seven, gust three zero. Sky condition eight thousand five hundred scattered, ceiling one four thousand broken, two zero thousand broken. Temperature one seven dewpoint six, altimeter two niner niner two. Runway three in use expect visual approach. * advisories taxiway charlie alpha closed. weather warnings moderate thunderstorms, high winds greater than or equal to thirty five less than forty five knots. hail greater than or equal to one quarter less than one half inch. weather watch * potential * five, weather advisories crosswinds observed greater than or equal to twenty knots. * *.p.16
10:28:48FORDO-2"Yes sir ISAF [international security assistance force.....] nine five alpha quebec....."p.17
10:41:21◦CAM[break in transcript]p.17
10:41:21CAHOT-1ok. starting four and three [engines 4 and 3]p.17
10:41:23◦CAM[sound similar to power interruption]p.17
10:44:49◦CAM[break in transcript]p.17
10:44:52FORDO-2Bagram ground ISAF nine five alpha quebec is ready to taxi.p.17
10:44:56ATCGNDnine five alpha quebec, taxi to runway three via juliet golf one, when able say civilian call sign.p.17
10:45:01CAHOT-1* one F I think.p.17
10:45:04FORDO-2ok understand uh runway three via golf uh juliet and golf one and uh, repeat the rest for -p.17
10:45:09CAHOT-1civilian callsign.p.17
10:45:10FORDO-2oh. civilian callsign is november charlie romeo five- one zero two.p.17
10:45:13CAHOT-1one zero-p.17
10:45:17ATCGNDcopy NCR one zero twop.17
10:45:21FOCAM-2I only knew that -p.18
10:45:21ATCGNDfive alpha quebec, I have your clearance, advise when ready to copy.p.18
10:45:24CAHOT-1yeah let’s do it.p.18
10:45:25FORDO-2ready to copy, for nine five alpha quebec.p.18
10:45:32ATCGNDnine five alpha quebec, cleared direct SIBLO via diverse vectors. on departure fly runway heading until thee DME then turn left heading two one zero. climb and maintain two eight zero, squawk zero four seven three, departure frequency one two four point eight.p.18
10:45:47CAHOT-1got all that?p.18
10:45:48FORDO-2ok understand cleared to diverse vectors to SIBLO on takeoff runway heading to three DME, then right turn two one zero up to flight level two eight zero, squawk zero four seven three, on one two four decimal eight for departure ISAF nine five alpha quebec.p.18
10:46:07ATCGNDnine five alpha quebec that’s a left turn two one zero, readback is correct, contact tower when ready.p.18
10:46:13FORDO-2kay left turn two one zero, for ISAF nine five alpha quebec.p.18
10:46:17CACAM-1gotta setup somethin for your DME.p.19
10:46:25CAHOT-1could just do, off uh....what can we put there-p.19
10:46:30FOHOT-2I could do uh.... the airport.p.19
10:46:36ATCGNDISAF nine five alpha quebec give way to the C-17 off your right he's taxiing juliet golf one.p.19
10:46:40CACAM-1let him go first.p.19
10:46:40FORDO-2roger we'll let him go first, for uh nine five alpha quebec.p.19
10:46:56CACAM-1works for me.p.19
10:47:02CAHOT-1kay.p.19
10:47:03FOHOT-2that one’s right here in the middle.p.19
10:47:06CAMCAM-?IBAG * *.p.19
10:47:16ATCGNDbreak ISAF nine five alpha quebec continue to follow the C-17.p.19
10:47:19CAHOT-1roger.p.19
10:47:20FORDO-2keep following the C-17 for nine five alpha quebec.p.19
10:47:26CAHOT-1those lights out?p.20
10:47:29CAHOT-1[sound of laughter]p.20
10:47:29OBCAM-3(sleepin) * *.p.20
10:47:31FOHOT-2okay, turnoff lights are on.p.20
10:47:38CAHOT-1all right, three hours, Tim.p.20
10:47:39CAMCAM-5good.p.20
10:48:17FOHOT-2all right. for our takeoff departure review, be uh...I got one six seven, V1 one forty, runway heading is zero two seven up to flight level two eight zero,p.20
10:48:17TOGTOGATOGA, VNAV, uh when I get up to three DME, have you put me on uh runway heading... actually before that, I'll have you- * right autopilot on command.p.20
10:48:39CAHOT-1yeah * *.p.20
10:48:40CAHOT-1ok.p.20
10:48:41FOHOT-2and then I'll do a left turn to two one zero, up to two eight zero. T/O, full T/O one oh eight one.p.20
10:48:55FOHOT-2I think it’s good.p.20
10:48:59CAHOT-1kay uh, let’s go before takeoff checklist, to the line.p.20
10:49:02FOHOT-2before takeoff checklist....... flaps?p.21
10:49:05CAHOT-1ten (planned), ten checked.p.21
10:49:07FOHOT-2flight controls?p.21
10:49:09CACAM-1check(ed).p.21
10:49:12FOHOT-2takeoff departure review is complete, before takeoff checklist is complete to the line.p.21
10:49:23FOHOT-2it’s like- this air is just billowing outta here.p.21
10:49:26CAHOT-1yeah what's that, what's-p.21
10:49:31FOHOT-2you got some windshield air on over there?p.21
10:49:33CAHOT-1I ain’t got # on, man.p.21
10:49:39CAHOT-1mine are all off.p.21
10:49:53CAHOT-1how do we look on that wing, everything look clear?p.21
10:49:55FOHOT-2everything’s great.p.21
10:49:56OBCAM-3@ [another company Captain] BBM'd, said what’s up with the brake temps in Bagram.p.21
10:49:60CAHOT-1[sound of chuckle] all normal.p.22
10:50:06FOHOT-2said they're all zeros.p.22
10:50:07CAHOT-1yeah. * what the # yer talking about. 10:50:010p.22
10:50:07OBCAM-3* #.p.22
10:50:11CAHOT-1did you actually talk to him?p.22
10:50:12OBCAM-3no *. I don't talk to that # anymore.p.22
10:50:13CAHOT-1[sound of laughter]p.22
10:50:15CAHOT-1holding at the line?p.22
10:50:16FOHOT-2holding at the line, sir.p.22
10:50:18CAHOT-1ok you can go to tower.... set me up for departure... twenty four eight.p.22
10:50:24OBCAM-3is @ [the second F/O] there? I haven't seen him. I hope he's in the bunk.p.22
10:50:26FOHOT-2yeah that'd be better if he was.p.22
10:50:29CAHOT-1he didn't get off.p.22
10:50:31FOHOT-2no.p.22
10:50:39OBCAM-3yeah, he's in there. * *.p.23
10:50:43CAHOT-1* # do a nose over, and put him through the ceiling.p.23
10:50:47FOHOT-2yeah uh. him and those uh- those uh-p.23
10:50:52CAHOT-1all right we'll be ready my man-p.23
10:50:53FOCAM-2-MRAPs [mine resistant ambush protection vehicles]p.23
10:51:01FORDO-2tower ISAF nine five alpha quebec we'll be- is ready golf one, for departure runway three.p.23
10:51:15ATCTWRISAF nine five alpha quebec, Bagram tower. roger, hold short.p.23
10:51:18FORDO-2hold short runway three ISAF nine five alpha quebec.p.23
10:51:53FOCAM-2* * we're waitin for that guy.p.23
10:51:59CAHOT-1we all happy with that?p.23
10:52:00FOHOT-2yeah, I'm good.p.23
10:52:07FOHOT-2it’s been uh - an hour and a half.p.23
10:52:10CAHOT-1what's that?p.23
10:52:11FOHOT-2it’s been an hour and a half.p.24
10:52:15OBCAM-3* sixteen off.p.24
10:52:16CAHOT-1yeah. we're gonna-we're gonna beat it by about a half-by about a half hour. we're gonna need it.p.24
10:52:24FOHOT-2half an hour or half a minute, its all the same.p.24
10:52:27CAHOT-1that’s right. we earned it. as far as I'm concerned man. I don’t think - min rest, I'd be dead tomorrow man.p.24
10:52:34FOHOT-2yeah. I think I think I would have to agree with that sentiment.p.24
10:52:39OBCAM-3I'm dead right now.p.24
10:52:41CAHOT-1so do you even tell crew scheduling -er do you just-p.24
10:52:46CAHOT-1I mean.p.24
10:52:47OBCAM-3see what they say * call em in the van on the way to the hotel.p.24
10:52:51FOHOT-2what the hell's this guy doin?p.24
10:52:53OBCAM-3see if they catch it.p.24
10:52:57CAHOT-1maybe-p.25
10:52:57OBCAM-3you guys aren't leavin until seven Z anyways, so.p.25
10:52:57OBCAM-3* might have to delay about a half hour.p.25
10:53:04FOHOT-2S turns...p.25
10:53:05CAHOT-1yeah it ain't a huge delay.p.25
10:53:10CAHOT-1yeah, he like overshot that, big time.p.25
10:53:12CAHOT-1or-p.25
10:53:14FOHOT-2maybe he was just-p.25
10:53:18OBCAM-3I need a one in seven.p.25
10:53:20FOHOT-2zero four zero at one zero. [in response to a wind check provided by the TWR for a landing aircraft]... is that what he just said?p.25
10:53:23CAHOT-1yeah.p.25
10:53:24FOHOT-2do you see a windsock out there?p.25
10:53:28CAHOT-1no, I don't... what did he say?p.25
10:53:30FOHOT-2zero four zero at one zero.p.25
10:53:32CAHOT-1that’s good. right down the runway.p.26
10:53:33FOHOT-2yeah.p.26
10:53:40FOHOT-2I'm not gonna go and-p.26
10:53:41CAHOT-1hang on.p.26
10:53:43HOTHOT-?(yeah).p.26
10:53:44FOHOT-2I'm not gonna go barreling down the runway with...p.26
10:53:49CAHOT-1ah *.p.26
10:53:49FOHOT-2two units of [sound of chuckle] trim in.p.26
10:54:00HOTHOT-?[sound of chuckle]p.26
10:54:00FOHOT-2tryin to # buzz all these people on the road, or what.p.26
10:54:06CAHOT-1some kinda tactical thing goin on here or-p.26
10:54:09FOHOT-2I'm gonna put it on top of that *.p.26
10:54:14FOHOT-2bet you can't get off at the first turnoff.p.26
10:54:15CAHOT-1* * oh you know what, I'm sitting low, that’s the problem.p.26
10:54:20ATCTWRISAF nine five alpha quebec runway three, full length, lineup and wait.p.27
10:54:25FORDO-2lineup and wait runway three, ISAF nine five alpha quebec.p.27
10:54:28CAHOT-1final items.p.27
10:54:29◦CAM[sound of several clicks]p.27
10:54:35CAHOT-1runway three is verified.p.27
10:54:37CAHOT-1clear left.p.27
10:54:38FOHOT-2prepare for departure.p.27
10:54:41FOHOT-2kay.... cabin's notified. autothrottles are armed. I'm in weather, you’re in terrain, selected.p.27
10:54:48FOHOT-2transponder TA/RA.p.27
10:54:52FOCAM-2runway three.p.27
10:54:53CACAM-1verified.p.27
10:54:55FOHOT-2verified runway three. before takeoff checklist complete.p.27
10:55:03CAHOT-1lineup and wait.p.27
10:55:04FOHOT-2lineup and wait.p.28
10:55:10FOHOT-2tryin to make life exciting for all those guys there, I guess.p.28
10:55:33ATCTWRISAF nine five alpha quebec runway three full length, wind estimated zero one zero at one one gusting one-[transmission interrupted]p.28
10:55:44CAHOT-1cleared for takeoff.p.28
10:55:45FOHOT-2clear for takeoff runway three.p.28
10:55:47FORDO-2clear for takeoff runway three, ISAF nine five alpha quebec.p.28
10:55:52CAHOT-1got it.p.28
10:56:03FOHOT-2stable.p.28
10:56:05FOHOT-2thrust REF.p.28
10:56:07◦CAM[sound similar to engines increasing speed]p.28
10:56:15CAHOT-1zero one zero.p.28
10:56:19FOHOT-2hold.p.28
10:56:21CAHOT-1eighty knots, thrust set.p.28
10:56:22FOHOT-2checks.p.29
10:56:34CAHOT-1V1.p.29
10:56:35AWSAWSV1. [from the Aural Voice Annunciation system]p.29
10:56:38CAHOT-1rotate.p.29
10:56:44CAHOT-1positive climb.p.29
10:56:45FOHOT-2gear up.p.29
10:56:46CAHOT-1keep on that (wing/weight/wait).p.29
10:56:47◦CAM[End of Recording, End of Transcript] Ep.29