MD-83
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Diverted; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part; Company Policy
Our aircraft had 5 open MEL items and the previous crew had refused it due to concerns of weather at their destination airport. I had a conference call with Dispatch and Maintenance Control regarding aircraft maintenance history and learned the weather radar had failed and there had been seven previous write ups in past 30 days. The aircraft was taken out of service to fix the radar. On the day of our flight I arrived at airport and the radar was signed off. On departure; however; the radar failed and the pressurization flow light illuminated. We were then unable to control cabin altitude so we descended to 8;000 FT and diverted to a nearby airport. Contract Maintenance pressurized AC on ground and could not duplicate air leak. Company Maintenance personnel were flown in; along with a part that 'was only other part' that had not been replaced in previous 8 radar write up's and assured us that that 'should fix problem.' I informed Dispatch that; since the remaining MELs were still active and because of thundershowers in departure area; I was refusing the aircraft for revenue flight but would be happy to ferry it to a maintenance base so it could be fixed. The on duty Chief Pilot called and agreed completely with my decision.
An MD-83 Captain refused an aircraft for revenue flight due to multiple recurring MEL items including a chronic radar problem. Thundershowers in the departure area were a critical factor.