B737-800
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Procedure; MEL; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part
During our briefing; the Captain informed the Flight Attendant-D and me regarding seats 29DEF are MEL due to O2 latch. We asked if the seats are going to be blocked and he said no. The D again asked the Captain if the seats were going to be blocked. The O2 compartment had a single duct tape holding the latch. After the Captain called maintenance dispatch again he told us that seats were still able to be occupied. The Captain asked the D to brief the customers about the latch and that he will be flying under 25;000 feet. I asked the Captain what type of briefing should we give the customers and he informed us what maintenance told him. Before door closure Captain made an announcement over the PA regarding our flying altitude due to the O2 latch. Approximately two hours into the flight the O2 compartment latch failed and with the O2 mask were dangling along with the compartment door. Luckily no one got hurt by the door compartment. The B-Flight Attendant came up to me and asked for masking tape. I asked for what and she told me so they can further seal up the O2 compartment. When I went back with her most of the compartment was already taped up. After further taping up the compartment we talked to the Captain regarding the procedure. By this time people we getting out there phones taking pictures. The crew was extremely professional despite the situation. When the mechanic [at destination] got on board he examined the compartment and told us that the seats should have been tagged inoperable and that the seats were miscoded. Our return flight the seats were blocked. When the O2 latch failed the O2 masks were dangling. My sense of safety told me that the seats should have been blocked. However; I did not want to challenge the pilot or maintenance further because I trusted them implicitly on their judgment.
Air carrier Flight Attendant reported being dispatched with the oxygen panel inoperative at an occupied seat row. After arrival; Maintenance said this was an error.