B747 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Fatigue; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted; General Work Refused
Aircraft; Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
During taxi out the Number 3 engine oil quantity fell to 3 quarts with a low oil quantity warning. We reported this to Maintenance Control who told us to return to the gate for servicing; which we did. We arrived at the gate and had the engine serviced. Doors were closed and; as we were preparing to pushback; we noticed the Number 4 hydraulic quantity was falling fast. Also; the flight attendants called to tell us that they could observe fluid flowing out of engine Number 1. The fluid appeared to be transferring at a high rate from sys 4 to systems 1; 2 and 3; and overflowing system 1. We told the Mechanic on the headset. He said he would call it in and get back to us. Our flight attendants were quickly approaching their legal rest limits. After awhile the Mechanic advised us that he wanted to enter the aircraft through the electronics and equipment bay accessory door and enter first class through the floor. I believe that this is an unsafe and possibly illegal procedure for the following reasons: 1. The E & E access door is not intended to be a regular entrance to the aircraft. Using this door; then opening a hatch in the first class floor would be the equivalent to having a mechanic crawl through a window to get into the aircraft; all this when we are at a gate with two operational jetways. 2. This procedure is being employed to prevent the flight attendants from 'walking' when they have exceeded their contractual and/or FAA legal rest requirements. By using the door; the flight attendants are 'held hostage' since they cannot exit through the first class floor hatch and through the E & E compartment 3. There are no established procedures for the flight attendants to safeguard the floor hatch in first class to prevent a passenger or crewmember from falling through it when it is opened. There is no way to know when the hatch is going to open 4. While the hatch is open; first class passengers on either side of the hatch cannot exit their seats to evacuate if that were to become necessary; there is a big open hole in the floor 5. Mechanics could damage equipment or become injured/electrocuted while transiting the very narrow passage thru the E & E compartment; especially with tools. 6. This access into the aircraft is being performed in plain view of the passengers in the terminal. This poses a security threat for possible hijackers and/or stowaways. Additionally; the E & E compartment is not normally security checked for unwanted objects or stowaways. I called the on duty Flight Manager and explained my concerns and he agreed with me that we should use the jetbridge; which we did. The mechanics were unable to repair the hydraulic system before our flight attendants went illegal. AT the time that we left the aircraft; the mechanics still did not know why hydraulic fluid was transferring in to System 3; besides the leak in System 1 and System 4 going down rapidly until the pump was shut down.
B747 Captain describes maintenance event where after a return to gate for a previous maintenance issue; the flight attendants notice fluid streaming from #1 engine. Maintenance wants to board the aircraft through E and E compartment. Captain insists they board through main cabin door as it is believed maintenance is trying to avoid a 'timing out' of the flight attendant crew; near end of their duty time limit.