A B757-200 engine was observed by other aircraft in flight to have an unusual vapor trail. After some persuading the reluctant Captain allowed the aircraft to divert where a fuel leak was discovered. The Captain removed the First Officer after he questioned the prudence of starting the engine before a maintenance inspection.

Date: 2010-10 · Aircraft: B757-200 · Phase: cruise

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-less-severe|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|flight-deck-cabin-aircraft-event-other-unknown

Synopsis

Narrative

Flight departed as scheduled. Enroute a company aircraft advised us that we had an unusual vapor trail coming from the right engine. The Captain made note of it in the logbook. While he was making the entry into the logbook I started looking for alternate airports. I had the 160 NM scale selected and within that arc I had two airports. The nearest airport was not displayed as it was behind us. I suggested to the Captain that we ask one of the flight attendants to check the rear of the engine to determine if they could see anything unusual and he agreed. The Flight Attendant was not very positive as to what they had seen and we asked them to check again. During all of this I looked at the Engine burn the fuel in the tank and checked it against the updated fuel we reported at the gate and there was a difference of 400 LBS. The oil quantity was fluctuating between 20 and 21 quarts while all other indications remain normal. The second report came from a male Flight Attendant who at this time was in the cockpit. Everything that I observed I shared with the Captain. While the three of us were in the cockpit discussing the first report from company aircraft I noticed an aircraft flying directly below us. I looked at the TCAS and they were 1;000 FT below. Within approximately two minutes Center called us to inform us that the nearby aircraft wanted to speak with us on 123.45. We tuned in and the person who spoke to us identified themselves then they proceeded to inform us that they flew directly below us and that our right engine had an unusual vapor trail. I said to the Captain let us do a precautionary landing to verify that we did not have an internal leak that was not showing on the gauges. The Captain kept on flying toward our planned destination. I again said to the Captain we have been advised twice of a possible problem; the flight attendants said they smelled something unusual before; lets us check it out. The Captain reminded me sternly that he is the Captain. I said yes you are the Captain; however if we have an uncontrollable fire in the core of the engine or outside of the fire protected area we will be ditching. I realize that we possibly would not be diverting so I left the subject alone. The Flight Attendant then said; so what is the procedure? We kept on flying then he asked me to request permission to divert. Center asked us a few questions including whether or not we were declaring an emergency. He said no we are not declaring an emergency. We did not declare an emergency and as a result we were not treated as such in the descent and speed issues. We landed parked the airplane and after the checklist I consulted with the local authorities who were coming up the jetbridge if I could get off the aircraft to go and look at the engine. They said yes. There was a Contract Mechanic there who accompanied me to look at the engine. Approaching the engine everything looked normal; nothing was dripping on the pavement and I thought we diverted for nothing. We continued the inspection of the engine and was shocked to find the entire lower portion of the tailpipe was coated with fuel and while it was vaporizing some was about to fall on the ramp. I went back into the airplane and advised the Captain. I also told the number one what was going on as the Captain was busy talking to the local authorities. Minutes later; the Captain said to me that the company wanted us to start the engine and check to see if there is any fuel coming out of the drains. I said to him that nothing was dripping from them and that I was not comfortable starting that engine after what I had seen; especially when no one could determine what the problem was. He dismissed me again and was determined to do what Maintenance told him to do. I then said to the mechanic that it seems as if we are going to start the engine as per the company's request and therefore I would like for him to call for the fire truck or get a portable fire extinguisher in the event that we need one. Shortly after I made the request; the Captain finally came to the engine and I proceeded to show him where the fuel was observed. He displayed a level of anger that I just could not understand and told me to not speak with the mechanic. I said to him; why? what is going on? He then exercised his Captain's authority again and removed me from the flight.

Second reporter narrative

My initial plan was to continue the 300 or so miles to our planned destination. At that time one of the Flight Attendants asked to come to the cockpit for what I assumed was to take a break. While he was in the cockpit; another aircraft traveling the opposite direction; commented on 123.45 about the smoke. The First Officer received this transaction. At that time he commented to me that he thought we should go divert to an airport which was behind us about 130 miles because of the smoke. I told him that I believed it was OK to continue. He did not agree and insisted we turn back. He mentioned that if we didn't land; 'that the engine would catch fire and we would end up splashing into the ocean.' He would not accept my Captain's decision to continue; and he continued his rant to turn around. This all happened very quickly before I could ask the Flight Attendant to leave the flight deck. Now that the Flight Attendant was witness to our heated discussion; I began to worry about what the flight attendants would be discussing between themselves and what of that may be overheard by the passengers. It was at that time that I made the decision to divert. The last thing I wanted was the idea of 'splashing into the ocean' to cause a panic in the back while enroute. We made a non-eventful precautionary landing. After we shutdown; I proceeded to operations with the Mechanic (contract maintenance) to call maintenance control. Maintenance Control gave the mechanic instructions on how to diagnose the problem. When we returned to the aircraft; the First Officer started to inform the Mechanic on a different way to diagnose the problem. I then told him that the Mechanic had his instructions and that is what he was going to do. The First Officer then continued to insist that Maintenance Control was wrong; and he had a better way of handling it. At that time; I told him that it was not his call. A little later; I noticed the First Officer down by the engine with the Mechanic. I approached them and realized the First Officer was still trying to tell the Mechanic how to do his job. At that time; I told the First Officer to stop talking to the Mechanic. He asked why; and I told him because I said so. That was not good enough and he insisted. I told him one more time and when he resisted I then relieved him of his duties and told him to remove his gear from the cockpit. I informed the company of my decision at which time they replaced him with another First Officer. Additionally; Maintenance could not find a leak of any kind during testing.

More incidents for this aircraft family →

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

← All incident reports Global safety overview