Date: 201303
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Dawn
Aircraft: A320
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: Communication Systems
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Second reporter function: Dispatcher
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: After pushback; when the ramp agent disconnected the headset; there was a very loud static squeal making the intercom and radios unreadable for several minutes. The Ramp Agent was called back to aircraft and asked to plug in again. After disconnecting; the radios and intercom returned to normal. Taxiout was okay; but once we were cleared for takeoff; as power was applied; the squeal returned making the radios unreadable. We exited the runway. After further troubleshooting we attempted another takeoff; but the squeal returned. After exiting the runway we returned to the gate for Maintenance to investigate. Takeoff power never got set so a rejected takeoff was not an issue. After further troubleshooting aircraft was dispatched under MEL 23-43-XXXX aircraft flown to ZZZ with no further problem. In ZZZ; Maintenance replaced the headset jack assembly. As soon as ramp agent plugged headset in the squeal returned at the same volume as before. The discrepancy was re-entered in to the logbook for further trouble shooting. I was pressured to take the aircraft. It was not until I explained to the maintenance supervisor that I was not happy to take the aircraft until further troubleshooting had been performed did they change the Audio Management Unit in the Electric and Electronic compartment. The aircraft was returned to service with no further problems noted. Total delay [was] 3 hours and 30 minutes.


Second narrative: The aircraft developed a whining noise in the ground interphone at pushback. The problem was thought to be remedied but reoccurred upon spool up on the runway. The aircraft taxied back off of the runway and attempted remedial action and contacted Maintenance personnel. The aircraft again took the runway and the condition reoccurred. The crew then returned to the gate for Maintenance. As the aircraft never reached takeoff power and the brake was never released it was not thought that either would be considered a rejected takeoff. Apparently the Dispatcher on the afternoon rotation who relieved me was contacted and asked why the rejected takeoffs were not reported. He submitted a report at that time regarding the occurrences and e-mailed me to advise me of the situation. I am submitting this as clarification on the matter. I have always regarded takeoff to begin at brake release when the aircraft began to move down the runway under takeoff thrust. As this condition was not met I did not see a requirement for a rejected takeoff report to be submitted and consequently did not submit one for either of the events.


Synopsis: The Captain and Dispatcher describe the radio and intercom issues on an A321 after the pushback crew disconnected the headset. The problem returned when the throttles were advanced for takeoff; so the crew performed a slow speed reject. After troubleshooting; the Flight Deck to Ground Interphone system was deferred as inoperative. However; when the next station replaced the headset jack and the system reactivated; the problem returned. The system operated normally after the Audio Management Unit was replaced.