MD-82
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Company Policy; Procedure
FAA [was] waiting at the aircraft. During my preflight; found oil under #1 engine to be excessive. Called Maintenance; did a runup; aircraft ok. Called Ramp for push and received clearance and brakes were released; [but the] tug had a malfunction. After [it was] corrected; called for push clearance again. Started #1 engine and disconnected from the tug. Lowered slats and they stuck and we were unable to move the handle. Returned to gate under our own power. Airplane was taken out of service. Captain called Dispatch to tell them what had happened and Dispatcher removed our times from the computer; our record of push and return to gate no longer existed. I had told Maintenance what happened and was told this should be on record as an air interrupt. The flight rescheduled to leave later; I was unable to continue; [so I] called crew tracking to let them know I had to go home. Crew tracking told me I needed to call scheduling; [because] there was no record of our out or in times. I tried to correct her and she said our times no longer existed and information had been removed from the computer. Documentation needs a paper trail. Important information should never be deleted at the click of a button at any-ones discretion. My record of being at the airport is non-existent; times for aircraft are non-existent.
MD83 First Officer describes maintenance actions and delays that occur during preflight and pushback with the FAA observing. After pushback the flap lever becomes jammed and the aircraft returns to the gate and the flight delayed while another is sought. The times for the pushback and return to the gate were removed from the computer by the Dispatcher; much to the dismay of the reporter.