Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Time Pressure
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Procedure
After loading bridge removed and checklists completed for pushback; ramp/push crew advised that a fuel cap was missing as reported by a wing walker. Push crew further advised that he reported it and was told by Zone and Maintenance to go ahead and push without it. I thought he must have not heard something correctly. He relayed to me that he was uneasy about that and told them that it was the Captain's decision. I thanked him and asked him about the status. He said the Fueler was contacted and should be on his way back. We started the write-up on the fuel cap. The Fueler then stated that he was told to tell the flight deck that the fuel cap write-up was in the archives. At that time; I felt I was being pushed to operate and sent a message to Dispatch to prepare for a refusal to operate if they don't address the missing fuel cap. After the write-up and Dispatch message received; another person; presuming a Mechanic; was on the mechanic interphone and was quite disgusted as to what was going on and used profanity in his apparent frustration. He then stated that they were heading toward a deferral. I kept Dispatch advised as these events occurred and at some point a refusal meter was sent to bring attention to our flight; which had not yet departed the gate and with no estimate for departure. Local Operations was brought in. Minutes later; we observed movement in front of the aircraft and we were advised that the fuel cap was found and was being installed. The flight attendants and passengers were also notified of the events in a more general sense throughout. The Line Mechanic that we finally did see was visibly upset about the fact that we were still there and ultimately got on the interphone. He relayed that he was the Mechanic assigned to the flight; that he was in the shack the whole time and didn't know anything; and that the fuel cap was on the ladder and had been installed. We ran the checklists again; called for push; pushed back; received our maintenance release and proceeded to our destination. After review; I was puzzled and obviously now troubled that the fuel cap was found on the ladder. I have subsequently queried a few fuelers who have told me that they didn't think it was possible to leave the fuel cap on the ladder and have the ladder displaced out of the safety clearance zone and still be on the ladder. Ultimately; what is bothering me is that the push crew was TOLD BY MAINTENANCE AND ZONE to overlook a maintenance item. Thankfully; the push crew did not listen and had a conscience; but that should last line of defense; the integrity of a line push crew was compromised by someone in management authority as it was reported to me and that is disturbing.
A Captain refused to push back from the gate after the Ground Crew saw the fuel cap missing while Maintenance insisted an MEL would permit operation. The Captain felt pilot pushing was an issue.