A320 was not airworthy or repairable for departure at an international station and attempts by the flight crew to return to their home base is thwarted by the intransigence of company personnel.
Synopsis
A320 was not airworthy or repairable for departure at an international station and attempts by the flight crew to return to their home base is thwarted by the intransigence of company personnel.
Narrative
Inbound aircraft cabin system pressure 1 inop. Maintenance history reveals chronic write-up. Cell phone used to call Maintenance and Dispatch. Contract Maintenance called and unable to fix and am told non-deferrable. Cell phone used as well as ACARS used to contact crew desk need rooms. Advised mechanics flying down to repair aircraft. Rescheduled departure for the next day and arrived at airport for preflight planning. Start APU to power aircraft and immediately get 2 ECAMS. 1. Cabin pressure system 1 inop. 2. Yellow hydraulic system resv overheat. Send system codes to maintenance and advise Dispatch. Mechanics come to aircraft and say they do not know how to fix it because it is a wiring issue. They do not work on hydraulic system overheat. Which continues to cycle ECAMS. At this time I realize this jet is not flying out and my 4 day trip is turning into a 6 day trip. Call on cell to advise Dispatch of aircraft refusal/knowing the issue is not fixable in ZZZZ. Ask to have the First Officer and myself listed on next company flight out. Company say says to wait and see. Authorities want aircraft moved from gate to accommodate a new aircraft arrival. Explain hydraulic system overheat and that I will not move aircraft. They take my name and let me know the airport authorities will make me move it. They don't show anyway. No assistance from any company representatives at the airport. Stood with the flight attendants for over an hour in the jetway to avoid gate area. Hostile passengers from previous days cancellations. Swine Flu Pandemic scare. No assistance with a place for crew to remain other than jetway.
Second reporter narrative
The station provided us no help whatsoever. I suggested that we clear through the Customs then go on our own to find a small office; which we did. Knowing that we were going to have a duty period issue; we pro-actively suggested ideas to Chief Pilot and the crew desk; but we got no help. Simply stated; both the Captain and I were left alone. We fly for an National Flag Carrier; and we got no help; no one took one initiative to contact us. Without us coordinating; nothing would've happened.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.