EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
While at the gate before boarding passengers; I attempted to open the Captain Cockpit Window. The windows seemed initially stuck in the locked position; but eventually opened. When I later went to close the window; the window would not secure shut as indicated by the red indicator pin. The [Aircraft Manual] states 'A pin protrudes near the opening handle when the window is not properly locked in the closed position.' I called maintenance about the problem and they sent out a maintenance tech. He arrived and I described the problem. He opened and closed the window numerous times and declared that the window was securely shut. The red indicator pin was still protruding and showing red. I told him that the window was not fixed. He left mad and said in the hearing of my crew that 'if the plane was safe flying in; it is safe to fly out.' After 30 minutes in the maintenance vehicle; he returned to the aircraft with a can of oil. He sprayed generous amounts of oil into the red indicator pin assembly; and some in the window tracks. He examined the best he could to ensure there were no obstructions that was blocking the closure and securing of the window. He again open and closed the window numerous times and declared that the cockpit window was secured shut; with the red indicator pin not flush; and indicating red. He told me that the window was fixed. Again; I pointed out that the window was not fixed. I showed him that when you depress the front securing latches; the pin remains up; indicating that the securing latches possibly have not cleared the aircraft window frame lock wedge assembly. He left and another maintenance tech came and looked at the window. The aircraft was placed out of service and we deplaned the passengers. Upon taking the window apart; it was discovered that a pin in the window had loosened enough to cause the window not to securely lock.What concerns me is that the first maintenance tech was so willingly to declare a maintenance issue fixed when it clearly wasn't. I am concerned that newer Captains may have been willing to take his word and fly the aircraft with the cockpit window unsecured. An unsecured cockpit window that comes open during the takeoff run and subsequent flight presents a danger to the crew and passengers.
EMB-175 Captain reported Maintenance Technician argued that a cockpit window latch was safe; when the indicator showed unsafe.