Air carrier Captain reported finding damaged and missing wing seals during preflight. Pilot reported they did not document all the discrepancies when they were advised by management to not document everything in order to avoid putting the aircraft out of service.

Date: 2024-08 · Aircraft: A321 · Phase: ground

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-maintenance|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-far

Synopsis

Air carrier Captain reported finding damaged and missing wing seals during preflight. Pilot reported they did not document all the discrepancies when they were advised by management to not document everything in order to avoid putting the aircraft out of service.

Narrative

Aircraft: Aircraft X (A319); Aircraft Y (A321)This report details two separate incidents involving two aircraft; during which I encountered damaged or missing wing seals. I experienced significant pressure from management to alter my documentation; which I believe may compromise safety standards.Aircraft X Day 0 During a routine pre-flight inspection; I documented a total of 7 damaged or missing Slat End Seals; with damage observed on both wings.The aircraft was placed out of service by maintenance for necessary repairs as the A320 fleet CDL (Configuration Deviation List) manual permits only 1 wing seal per wing to be deferred at a time. This action was taken to ensure compliance with safety standards and maintenance procedures.Aircraft Y Day 0 During a subsequent pre-flight inspection of this aircraft; I identified 2 damaged wing seals on the right wing; 1 Slat End Seal and 1 Inboard Aileron Edge to Wing Seal.During this discovery; I was approached by a Supervisor and Chief Pilot. Chief Pilot approached me during the walk-around inspection and asked me to explain the issue and if I had a mechanic background. Chief Pilot indicated the necessity of moving passengers and questioned how many seals I would document. I replied that I will document 2 seals on the right wing. From inside the aircraft; Supervisor stopped me from documenting the discrepancies and indicated the necessity of moving passengers. Supervisor implied that if I continued to put aircraft out of service there would be serious implications and made a reference to 'arrangements' and the negative connotation associated with upper management.Feeling pressured by these comments and concerned about potential disciplinary action or termination; I documented only 1 of the 2 damaged seals on the right wing of Aircraft Y; despite the presence of multiple discrepancies. I will not succumb to the pressure again and fail to document a mechanical discrepancy. I have reported these issues in accordance with standard procedures and safety guidelines. However; the undue pressure from management to underreport the number of damaged seals on Aircraft Y has raised concerns about potential retaliation and compromised safety. Also; I am concerned that management may be pressuring other pilots - as evidenced by the aircraft that are accepted with this issue. Additionally; this may be a broader problem of management trading safety for on-time/cancelation due to pressure from DOT regulations. I am reporting this matter to ensure that proper safety protocols are followed and to address the pressures that may impact the accurate reporting of mechanical discrepancies. Damaged wing seals are an A320 fleet wide problem at Company X and must be resolved. Cause: On Day 0 I was approached at the aircraft while performing pre-flight duties by 2 of company members of management who pressured me to overlook mechanical discrepancies in order to keep aircraft flying. Interfering with the Captain's Part 121 regulatory duties by making threatening comments and implying potential disciplinary action and/or termination of employment is at the highest level of unconscionable conduct by a Part 121 operator. I recommend that an organization proceed with a formal investigation of the events that occurred on Day 0 and associated corporate cultural issues that may reduce safety standards at company.

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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.