A B747-400 Captain reports he noticed during his preflight that previously recorded maintenance items in their aircraft maintenance computer were not included in their new flight planning system computer maintenance summary section. Maintenance Control intentionally filtered some of the maintenance items. Pilot believes that process interferes with FAR 121.563.
Synopsis
A B747-400 Captain reports he noticed during his preflight that previously recorded maintenance items in their aircraft maintenance computer were not included in their new flight planning system computer maintenance summary section. Maintenance Control intentionally filtered some of the maintenance items. Pilot believes that process interferes with FAR 121.563.
Narrative
During preflight; using our flight planning system; I discovered that several maintenance items recorded in our [older] aircraft maintenance computer did not display in the maintenance summary of our [new] flight planning system package. Five separate write-ups from the previous flight; including an irregularity involving a fuel leak; were missing from the Maintenance summary. I thought this might be a defect in the flight planning system process until I called the Dispatcher and had him conference with the Maintenance Controller.He (Maintenance Controller) advised us that company Maintenance intentionally filters out some maintenance irregularities to keep the list from getting too big. He stated that certain ATA Chapters are filtered out. I have never heard this in my 32 years with Air Carrier X and my many years as a safety advocate. If this is truly the case; how is the Pilot in Command (PIC) supposed to comply with FAR 121.563 which requires the PIC to be fully aware of maintenance items from the last flight?The Dispatcher wasn't aware of this filtering process either. How is the Dispatcher supposed to fulfill his regulatory responsibilities if what the Maintenance Controller says is true? Maintenance Control also stated that this procedure of filtering Log items; essentially hiding them from the PIC and the Dispatcher; was fully coordinated with our company Flight Technical Training department. I would like a response indicating if this filtering process is; indeed; in place and if this process has been fully coordinated with the FAA. Pilots are unaware that they may not be aware of some; or all maintenance irregularities recorded from the flight as required by FAR 121.563. I believe that; as stated; this filtering process is contrary to the FARs and should be reviewed.
NASA callback
Reporter stated his carrier is transitioning from an older computer system to a newer flight planning system computer package that pilots can pull up in Flight Operations for their preflight information. But disparities; some major; continue to emerge during the transitioning phase of the new flight planning system. The issue of filtering previous Maintenance Log items from the flight planning package by Maintenance Control interferes with a Dispatcher's proper flight release and flight crews' knowledge of an aircraft's true maintenance status. Reporter stated the fuel leak irregularity he referred to involved a lower wing fuel tank access panel that had been found leaking. Adding to the problem was the 39.5 (39;500) LBS of fuel the new flight plan system said he should have remaining upon landing and the B747-400's FMC that noted the aircraft would have only 26.7 (26;700) LBS remaining; a difference of approximately 13;000 LBS of fuel. He suggested they refuel and add that amount of fuel; which was eventually done because Dispatch and Maintenance Control could not account for why the two computer systems displayed such a difference in remaining fuel load on landing when entering the route they would be taking.Reporter stated the issue of Maintenance Control hiding (not including) certain previously recorded maintenance items in their new flight planning system hasn't been resolved yet. He believes a pilot's responsibility under FAR 121.563 to be aware of his aircraft's maintenance status is also being interfered with.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.