B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 171; Flight Crew Total 9978
Troubleshooting; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Human Factors
During the walk around; I found that the #1 engine Integrated Drive Generator (IDG) oil level was in the 'ADD' band and required servicing. I called PDX operations and requested that they inform maintenance of this issue. When the mechanic came onto the flight deck; the first words out of his mouth was how did we determine that the IDG oil level was low? The First Officer (FO); who was standing in the flight deck doorway at the time; said to the mechanic; 'ask him'; motioning to me. I informed him that I checked it and he said; 'you opened the engine cowl?' I said no; I checked it thru the IDG oil access panel. He then said he didn't know there was a panel for that. He seemed very upset that he had to stop what he was doing and come out to the aircraft and service the IDG oil. He left the flight deck and came back several minutes later and without saying a word; signed off the log page and departed the flight deck. I noticed that when he signed off the logbook that he knelt down close to the center console and at that time; I thought this position for him was very odd. After closing the main cabin door I picked up the black PA microphone to make a cabin PA and noticed that there was now oil smeared onto the microphone on the top and side where one would put their mouth close to when using the microphone. This was not just a small amount; but enough where it was COVERED with it. I know the oil was NOT there prior to the mechanic being called because part of my preflight is to wipe the microphone off with a sani-com wipe. I told the FO about what I found. I feel very strongly that this mechanic purposely put this toxic substance/oil onto the microphone as a way to 'get back' at me for requiring him to service the IDG. There was no oil on the logbook nor on the logbook pages that he handled so if there was oil on his hands; and he claims he accidentally got it on the microphone; there would have also been oil on the logbook or logbook pages. I find it very disturbing that this mechanic would do anything like this that borders on harassment; interfering with the flight crew; and safety of outcome of the flight. His actions could have caused a pilot to ingest this toxic substance that could cause health issues during flight that jeopardized the safety of the pilots and thereby the passengers. What else has this individual done in the past under these similar conditions?
We were preparing for departure in PDX. The Capt. picked up the radio and called Ops; indicating we needed Maintenance (MX) to service the number 1 IDG. The Capt. proceeded to write the num 1 IDG oil level in the MX logbook. MX arrived a short time later and asked me how I knew that the num 1 IDG level was low? I referred him to the Capt. he asked the Capt. the same question. At which time the Capt. said that he had opened the IDG access panel. The MX Tech. was not very happy. The same type incident occurred on another flight. Outstation MX was called as was MX Control. The Capt. also called the Chief pilots office to discuss a possible IDG MEL; on the long range navigation segment. It is my understanding that IDG oil is a MX function. In my 8 years at this company on the 737; I have never been trained or told to check IDG oil levels.
On preflight exterior inspection the Captain of a B737 discovered low #1 engine Integrated Drive Generator (IDG) oil level. He proceeded to document the discrepancy and call for maintenance servicing. Upon arrival at the aircraft; the Maintenance Technician questioned the Captain's authority to be inspecting inside the engine cowling to check the IDG oil level on preflight. The Technician serviced the IDG oil and documented the action in the aircraft logbook while kneeling behind the flight-deck center console. Prior to taxi the Captain noticed that the PA microphone; which is stowed on the rear side of the center console; had oil smeared on it.