A300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 83; Flight Crew Total 9000; Flight Crew Type 3200
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
The aircraft was in cruise at FL270 with the APU shut down and the APU bleed valve closed. A descent was given by ATC and; as the aircraft was passing through FL260; we received an APU BLEED LEAK - ECAM caution message. There were no action items associated with the ECAM or the AOM or QRH since the APU was already shut down. While passing through approximately FL180 the ECAM indication extinguished. A normal approach and landing were made to Runway 35L. We taxied to parking; the aircraft was secured; and a logbook entry made for the APU Bleed Leak message. After exiting the aircraft Maintenance met me at the bottom of the stairs. The Mechanic proceeded to show me indications of charring around the APU inlet door. At no time did we have any indications of an APU fire.
No additional information was included in the second narrative.
Dispatched with the APU deferred inoperative and the APU bleed valve closed; the flight crew of an A300 were perplexed but unfazed by an illogical APU BLEED LEAK ECAM message for which; predictably; no appropriate procedures were published.  Upon landing at their destination and deplaning a Mechanic pointed out charring around the APU inlet door.