An ERJ170 external AC power receptical was inoperative and the access door MEL'ed closed to prevent opening. Ground personnel consistently ignored the MEL and opened the door for access to the cockpit/ground communication plug.

2009-10 · NASA ASRS report 858013

Date: 2009-10 · Aircraft: EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR · Phase: ground

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-less-severe|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-maintenance|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-mel-cdl

Synopsis

An ERJ170 external AC power receptical was inoperative and the access door MEL'ed closed to prevent opening. Ground personnel consistently ignored the MEL and opened the door for access to the cockpit/ground communication plug.

Narrative

My aircraft had MEL 24-42-00-1 AC Power receptacle INOP. Ground personal came up to the cockpit and said aircraft door was taped closed why and how to communicate with the cockpit. I called Maintenance Control they said 'tell the ground crew to open the door use the headset and re-tape up the door'! On arrival to at our first destination I called Maintenance Control and pointed out that the MEL says 'tape over receptacle put MEL sticker in center' I was told 'YEA the ground people just take off the tape anyway and use aircraft power'. The next leg I reread the MEL and insisted that Maintenance comply with the proper procedure and NOT just tape the door shut! Maintenance Control said the would have them come out and fix it and to come up and tell me they fixed it. NOBODY from Maintenance came up! I went down and I put a MEL sticker on it and wrote 'INOP'. On the next day I had the same aircraft I knew the MEL had not been fixed. Enroute I looked closer at the MEL on the release; NO MEL 24-42-00-1. I ACARS Dispatch and pointed this out. Dispatch sent a new amended release. NEXT leg a release and NO MEL AGAIN This is a major safety issue what if their was special procedure to do? POOR and sloppy dispatching computers were to blame; maintenance NOT properly doing their job and or ground crew not trained correctly.

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

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