Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Troubleshooting; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Logbook Entry; Procedure
I started July 2015 in ZZZ; for a flight to ZZZ1. When I took the plane from the crew; I checked through the logbook as I usually do and noticed the brakes and Brake Temperature Monitoring System (BTMS) had been an ongoing issue for this tail number. I think the first write up was in June. I looked at the BTMS readings and they seemed normal to me; but that was after 30 minutes on the ground. I believe they read 02 01 02 00; so no cause for alarm. We took the plane to ZZZ1; and in route I studied the logbook a bit closer. It was apparent to me and the first Mechanic in the logbook; that; there is/was a brake issue with this aircraft. So I decided to look a bit closer at the problem.We landed in ZZZ1 with no issues and taxied to the gate. Under normal conditions and now parked at the gate; the BTMS now read 05 06 05 00. And this became my write up for the aircraft. I called Dispatch; and then talked to Maintenance. I explained how the aircraft had been written up a few times for this issue; and said I didn't think the brake was working. I also mentioned how when I went outside; the Right-Hand Outboard Brake (RHOB) wheel did not seem anywhere near as warm as the others. I had put my hand near the outside of the wheels; not inside near the brakes. I was told a Mechanic would be out to take a look. We had about a two hour turn; and I went into the Crew room. I came back to the aircraft 35 minutes prior to find the BTMS had been MEL'd again. This was the second time I believe. I called for the Mechanics to come out as I had an issue with this. I also called my Dispatcher; a Dispatch Lead and Maintenance again; and told them all I didn't think the RHOB brake was working and just wanted a Mechanic to assure me it was and that it was just the BTMS.Three mechanics came out to the aircraft to hear my concerns. They told me when they checked the brake it was warm and so assumed that it must have been hotter before (when the BTMS read 00) and so it must have been the temperature sensor. I told them I thought the heat they were feeling was residual heat from the neighboring brake; and that the bit of warmth now; still would not show 01 on the sensor. They disagreed and I ask them to just make sure the brake works so I'll feel better about taking this aircraft to ZZZ1. They argued some more but finally said; 'Fine! We will check the brakes.' One mechanic went into the flight deck while another went outside. The third remained in the jet bridge with me. After only about two minutes; the other two mechanics came back up and said the brakes were fine. When I asked how they tested them and how I can be sure they work they stated; 'We followed the procedure.' When I asked what that was; that was all they would tell me. I called Dispatch again; explained what had been done and told them though I'm not happy about how this was handled; that if a Mechanic looks me in the eye; tells me my aircraft is airworthy; then I can't really argue the point any further. I then asked Dispatch to coordinate with Maintenance in ZZZ2 and I would like someone to meet the plane at the gate in ZZZ2. They agreed and would make it happen.Took the flight from ZZZ1 to ZZZ2 with no issues. Landed; taxied to the gate and looked again at the BTMS. It read 05 06 06 -- ; and so I assumed all the brakes would be noticeably hot to the touch. I went directly to the RHOB brake five minutes after we parked at the gate. It was cold to the touch. No heat at all. It was again my belief the brake; though brand new and recently replaced (in the attempts to fix the issue since June) was not working. At all. The ZZZ2 Mechanic showed up soon after and took a look as well. I wrote the plane up again; called [Dispatch] and expressed my anger; disappointment and concern that I was shoved off in ZZZ1 and sent to ZZZ2 with an aircraft that was not airworthy
Reporter stated he has not experienced any issues with the Brake Temperature Monitoring System (BTMS) in the past on the CRJ-900 except for this particular aircraft. He believes the connector to the brake temperature sensor was previously disconnected and capped; but the brake function did not seem to have been fully confirmed prior to the MEL deferral of the BTMS. He was unaware his aircraft was not airworthy when he departed on the first leg of two flights. Since one of the four MLG brakes was not functioning; RTO limitations could have been an issue. He does not know if a wheel spin test was accomplished as part of the maintenance troubleshooting after he wrote-up the 'cold' brake. He doesn't know what the fix was; if any; but the aircraft was considered okay for service and released again.
A Captain reports about his efforts to convince Maintenance and Dispatch that the Right-Hand Outboard Brake (RHOB) on a CRJ-900 aircraft had not been operating and the Brake Temperature Monitoring System (BTMS) deferral was not the problem.