A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Total 10137; Flight Crew Type 9568
Communication Breakdown; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Aircraft; Procedure
Crew entered MRM [Maintenance Requirements Manual] to address a puddle of HYD fluid observed during walk-around that was in front of the left landing gear. The gear well was wet with HYD fluid also. Local techs responded and inspected the aircraft. A [release document] was issued which the pilots were somewhat confused by. The sign off was very contradictory. Technical Support Maintenance Control was called and he said most of the fluid was thought to be de-ice fluid from a de-ice of the aircraft overnight. Biggest problem with this is the aircraft was not de-iced overnight and the puddle was an individual puddle on an otherwise dry ramp. The totality of the circumstances strongly pointed to hydraulic fluid; but de-ice fluid is the easy go-to answer during winter ops. Crews really do know the difference.The sign-off was contradictory from start to finish. It is not HYD fluid on ramp. It is de-ice fluid. However; it is leaking HYD fluid and will be fixed within two days. It is dripping but somehow the HYD fluid goes through a molecular change and falls on the ramp as de-ice fluid. Would be interested to see the MX outcome of this event.
Air carrier pilot conducting preflight inspection noticed hydraulic fluid leak around left main gear. Maintenance was called to inspect and provided a contradictory conclusion that the leaking fluid was de-ice fluid.