EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Procedure
We arrived at the aircraft and I discussed with the inbound Captain the condition of the airplane. He noted that the Hydraulic Number 2 had been slowly decreasing throughout the day and to keep an eye on it and that there was some fluid dripping out of the bottom of the aircraft. I noted this and carried on. I inspected the logbook for previous issue with the hydraulic system and noted nothing. I checked the fluid that the inbound Captain noted and it was dripping out of the red beacon. It was a small amount of fluid dripping onto the ground. I noted that the fluid was raw fuel. I called Maintenance which [Name 1] advised he would call Contract Maintenance to have them look at it. I deplaned the passengers. [Name 2]; the Contract Maintenance at ZZZ; came to the airplane; walked around the aircraft without talking to me or looking at the logbook; and comes to the flight deck a few minutes later and informs me that the problem has been solved. I asked him what he did; he said he wiped the fuel off and didn't see it leak anymore. Let me note: the aircraft was not fueled while on the ground in ZZZ. It was not residual fuel from the fueler. I asked him if he was going to open or remove any panels; he informed me that he didn't know what ones to open. He proceeded to sign off the aircraft and told me it was good to go. At this point; [Name 2] didn't seem too interested in fixing the airplane; much like when he first arrived. He was on the phone a lot; opened one or two panels; and that was it. Maintenance came in from ZZZ1 to fix the issue. They discovered a 'substantial leak' (our maintenance wording) at the wing root of the aircraft. This was clearly visible through the wheel well of the airplane. I received the logbook and immediately called Maintenance. [Name 1] told me that [Name 2] had 'waited to see if it would come back;' I asked him for how long and he informed me that he didn't know. I further questioned [Name 1] on this inspection and what; if any; procedures were followed to inspect a possible fuel leak. He responded by telling me that he could bring Maintenance out to do more inspections to my comfort; and asked me what inspections I would like to do. I requested to run both engines on the gate and we could start there. After hanging the phone up with [Name 1]; I started both engines on the gate for approximately 5 minutes. After shutting down the airplane; I noted raw fuel at the beacon again. [Name 2] also saw the fuel. My overall view was we had raw fuel in an area with electrical equipment (red beacon) and there was no concern from either [Name 2] or [Name 1] as to whether or not we needed to inspect this airplane to figure out exactly where this fuel leak was coming from. Simply wiping the fuel off and signing the book and not asking what exactly Contract did when we have a fire hazard on the aircraft is unacceptable and this problem needs to be addressed both with Maintenance in ZZZ1 and in ZZZ. We are talking about a clear fire hazard that was not taken seriously by our Maintenance in ZZZ1 and our Contract Maintenance in ZZZ. This is a complete disregard for the safety of our passengers.
EMB-145 Captain reported that the aircraft was leaking fuel from the belly of the aircraft. The Captain encountered difficulty in obtaining assistance from Maintenance Personnel.