B757 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 151; Flight Crew Type 4313
Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Human Factors; Aircraft
Arrive at aircraft to find the entire left side on the inflight entertainment system is MEL. Called maintenance to find out the circuit breaker in the E&E popped and was reset and popped again and believed to be a dead short. I asked about the damage to wires and they did not know because they did not check it out. The plane had been flying for 3 days and was to fly 3 days more. I asked if the short was a burnt or cracked wire that was in the bundle of wires for the left side of the entertainment system. They did not know and need 3 hours just to answer that question.I have no access to the circuit breakers in the cockpit to isolate the left side of the entertainment system. I feel if the entertainment system had a short; why didn't they shut off the whole system instead of risking the chance of an inflight fire? This is what caused the [an air carrier] fire [some years ago].I was pressured to take the plane; but refused. I am expecting the company to retaliate; but I stand by my decision. In 30 years of flying and almost 20 years with this company I have never refused an aircraft; but I had to.
B757 Captain refused an aircraft because of uncertainty about the integrity of the entertainment system wiring that could possibly pose a fire hazard.