2009-12 · NASA ASRS report 864660
A First Officer reports he doesn't believe proper Maintenance procedures were followed; when their Maintenance Control instructed Mechanics to only apply sealant to a missing section of seal at the left forward entry door cutout; without any 'cure' time or cabin pressurization check on their EMB-145 aircraft.
While enroute to ZZZ; the Flight Attendant (FA) informed the Flight Crew of a loud high pitched squeal coming from the main cabin door. The squeal was very evident over the interphone. There was no pressurization issue noted by the EICAS; just a very loud squealing noise. A prior Flight Crew wrote up the squealing door; which was later cleared (Signed-off) by Maintenance. Upon arrival into ZZZ; we notified Maintenance Control. Maintenance came out and informed us that the door seal needed to be replaced; however; as instructed; according to Maintenance Control; they proceeded to just use a gray/silver sealant to seal the top 3' to 4' inch section of the damaged door seal. I asked if a pressurization check was needed and they said 'Yes'. I then asked if they were going to do one and they said; 'No' . After they applied the sealant to the door I asked if there was a cure time and how long it was. They said there was; but it wasn't long and there would be no need to wait. The Captain also called Maintenance Control to ask about a cure time; and they convinced her there really wasn't a cure time for that type of sealant. Maintenance Signed it off and said we were 'Good to Go'. As the passengers were boarding; we had to express extra emphasis on watching their heads on the door so that they didn't wipe the sealant off with their hair/heads. I bring this safety concern because I don't believe proper Maintenance procedures were followed. Squealing door seals are preliminary indications of a weakening door seal which lead to cabin pressurization failures. Maintenance needs to follow proper corrective instructions to repair door seals; no matter how long it takes. Door seals are not deferrable for a good reason and should be repaired for the same.
Reporter stated the damaged seal was actually on the airframe at the upper section of the left forward entry door cutout. He does not believe that seal was the primary seal for pressurization; but the missing 3 to 4 inches of the seal still had something to do with air escaping the cabin and causing the squealing noise during climb and cruise. Pressurization did not seem to be affected.Reporter stated Mechanics at ZZZ wanted to replace the entire seal; but Maintenance Control overrode them and Signed-off the door squeal Write-up; stating sealant was applied. No cabin pressurization check was accomplished to verify the sealant was effective. Passengers were getting the 'uncured'; sticky sealant in their hair as they entered the EMB-145 Cabin.Reporter stated the squealing noise reoccurred until they reached cruising altitude and eventually went away. He was told the entire seal was apparently replaced that night; after their flight; during overnight Maintenance.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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