Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
MEL; Company Policy; Human Factors; Aircraft
ERJ-175 aircraft had an MEL that required the Ram Air Valve to be secured 'Open' and the Number One Pack to be kept 'Off' and the aircraft had to be operated at less than FL310. The Synoptic Page indicated that the Ram Air Valve was 'Closed'. We called Maintenance and the first Mechanic could not figure anything out and seemed somewhat lost. A second Mechanic arrived at the aircraft and was able to determine that the aircraft did have issues. The previous [flight] crew reported that the temperature was so hot in the cabin that they almost had to declare a medical emergency. They also reported that the flight deck was cold while the aft cabin was extremely hot. The Mechanic looked at the Maintenance Synoptic Page and determined that the Number Two Pack had a bad temperature sensor and it had recorded eight hits in flight that day and over 140 total in the preceding days.Maintenance took an inspection panel off of the belly and tried to confirm the position of the Ram Air Valve. They instead discovered a plastic bag zip tied to the inlet and the valve was in a position that wouldn't allow them to confirm the position of the Ram Air Valve. When Maintenance tried to operate the Number One Pack; it made a lot of noise and a burning electrical smell was noticed inside the aircraft as well as outside by the pack. When an MEL states a maintenance procedure; it should be confirmed that it has been done correctly. The aircraft flew in with multiple issues and the Synoptic Page indicated that the Ram Air Valve was closed when it should have been open. The MEL called for the Number One Pack to be 'Off' while the Number Two Pack to be used; but there were over 140 messages of issues with the Number Two Pack. [We] refused to take the aircraft until the mounting safety issues could be determined.
Reporter stated the EICAS Synoptic Page can be difficult to display on their ERJ-175 aircraft; adding to the frustration when trying to determine what the system problems are. He believes a Temperature Sensor for the Number Two Pack was replaced; but given the number of discrepancies on the aircraft; he doesn't know if other parts were also replaced. After he refused the aircraft for safety reasons; he was given another ERJ-170 aircraft and departed. He has eighteen years flying experience with regional carriers.
A First Officer describes why he refused to accept an ERJ-170 aircraft that included an uncontrollable overheated cabin; a very cold flight deck; an MEL Maintenance Procedure (M) improperly applied to Number 2 Pack with a plastic bag zip tied over the Ram Air Valve inlet and a Number 1 Pack that was noisy with a burning electrical smell inside and outside the cabin.