Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 3500
Distraction; Time Pressure; Fatigue; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; MEL; Human Factors
April 2013; I called Maintenance at my airline to report a Cargo Door light on the panel that would not go out. After talking to Maintenance and checking that the bayonets were in place on the cargo door they issued me a MEL for the door under the assumption that because the bayonets were in place the light was not properly working. This was repaired after a few days when I pressured the mechanics to repair it or I would refuse to fly the aircraft on the next flight. [Approximately] twelve days later; I had the same problem and was given another MEL from a Mechanic who claimed to have discussed it with the Director of Maintenance (DOM). While legal; I felt this MEL should not be available as the design of the cargo door requires that it be properly secured or it could possibly take off the tail. Pressure was placed on me by the mechanics to fly an aircraft that I deemed unairworthy and unfortunately between the pressure and the overall fatigue of the cargo schedule I departed with a legal; yet stupid; cargo door MEL.
Reporter stated the cargo door is approximately 4.5 feet x 4.5 feet and located just aft of the left wing. There are two warning lights for the cargo door. One light on the forward Annunciator panel that reads 'Cargo' and a second light indicating 'Door Unsafe'; located behind the co-pilot's yoke. The 'Door Unsafe' light is difficult to see in flight. Reporter stated both lights had been placed on an MEL deferral. One of the MEL procedures requires verification that the bayonet type door locks are in the locked position. Pilots have to crawl over the loaded freight inside the fuselage to view the bayonet latches with a flashlight. There are at least ten locking latches visible on the inside; but none visible on the outside of the aircraft. The inside handle for the cargo door can be removed; exposing only a [door cranking] stem. The handle lever has a nearby pouch for storage.Reporter stated that a common problem on all Metro's is the Door Warning lights tend to flicker and stay 'On'; sometimes in flight or while taxiing over rough terrain. If the lights don't go out; they have to return to the gate. His concern is in-flight turbulence and shifting freight against the door causing the door latches to unlock and the outward opening door to depart the aircraft; striking the very close Horizontal Stabilizer.Reporter stated he discussed the MEL deferral with their Director Of Maintenance (DOM) who told him the Cargo Door Warning Lights MEL would be removed from their MEL List because he; as DOM; also did not believe such a deferral was safe a practice. They fly single pilot operations.
A pilot describes why he believes the current MEL practice of deferring both Cargo Door Warning Lights on their Fairchild SA-227 aircraft is an unsafe practice. They fly single pilot operations.