B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Aircraft; Equipment / Tooling; Human Factors
September 2012. During preflight; [crew] discovered erosion tape on the HF antenna peeling off. Contacted Maintenance and entered into logbook. After inspection by Mechanic; and discussion with Captain; it was decided that the best course of action would be to remove peeling tape and defer repair. Mechanic said it would take one hour to get equipment and effect repair. After about 15-minutes; Mechanic returned and stated repair could not be accomplished at current location due to proximity of taxiway and possible risk of jet blast to [truck] lift from passing aircraft. I stated that they should move aircraft either by taxi or tow and accomplish repair. Approximately one hour later Maintenance Supervisor came to cockpit and stated aircraft was within limits and repairs or removal of tape would not be accomplished. I tried to explain that the tape could possibly come off in flight and blow onto the Elevator Pitot System which is located directly behind the peeling tape area. Supervisor stated that if I wanted to refuse the aircraft that was my prerogative. Captain Y also appeared at the aircraft to investigate the cause of the delay. After explaining my position he conferred with the Maintenance Supervisor and returned advising me to enter reason for refusal into logbook. Entered into logbook and left aircraft. New aircraft found and departed three hours and 44 minutes late. I suggest Maintenance concentrate on repairing discrepancies rather than putting so much effort into figuring out how to defer repairs.
Captain describes his efforts to have Maintenance remove erosion tape from the HF antenna on the vertical stabilizer of a B737-800 aircraft; due to tape was peeling off and potentially cover Elevator Pitot System in flight. Maintenance Supervisor disagreed. Captain refused aircraft.