AN A320 CAPT COMMENDS A GND PUSH CREW FOR NOTICING A LARGE OIL QUANTITY LOSS DURING ENG START THAT PREVENTED AN INFLT ENG SHUTDOWN.

Narrative

I'M SUBMITTING THIS EVENT FOR 2 REASONS: 1) TO PROVIDE DATA ON IMMINENT GEAR BOX SEAL FAILURE FOR TREND TRACKING ANALYSIS. 2) TO HIGHLIGHT THE ATTN TO SAFETY DISPLAYED BY THE PUSHBACK CSR; WHICH PREVENTED A POSSIBLE INFLT ENG SHUTDOWN OR ENG SEIZURE. DURING NORMAL PUSHBACK; WE WERE CLRED FOR ENG START. WE WERE PLANNING A 2 ENG TAXI DUE TO THE ANTICIPATED SHORT TAXI TIME. WHILE STARTING THE #2 ENG; THE PUSHBACK CREW RPTED FLUID DRIPPING FROM THE #1 ENG NACELLE. WE SHUT DOWN BOTH ENGS; AND WERE PULLED BACK IN TO THE GATE. CONTRACT MAINT REQUESTED WE START THE ENG TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. AS SOON AS THE ENG STABILIZED; WE WERE TOLD TO SHUT IT DOWN. THE MECH ESTIMATED WE WOULD LOSE 1 QUART OF ENG OIL IN 1-2 MINS. THE PUSHBACK CREW COMMENTED ON THE GREAT INCREASE IN LEAK RATE BTWN THE 2 ENG STARTS. THE SEAL BTWN THE GEAR BOX AND ACCESSORY CASE HAD FAILED; AND AN ENG CHANGE WAS SCHEDULED. THE MECH ESTIMATED THE ENG MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RUN FOR 30 MINS PRIOR TO SEIZURE. THE VIGILANCE OF OUR PUSHBACK CREW PREVENTED WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS INCIDENT. IT ALSO ALLOWED THE DETECTION OF IMPENDING ENG FAILURE PRIOR TO THE POINT OF ANY EQUIP DAMAGE. WE ARE ALWAYS TOLD IT IS DIFFICULT TO QUALIFY SAFETY OR MEASURE THE 'ACCIDENT THAT DID NOT OCCUR.' THIS INCIDENT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO JUST THAT.