B767-300 and 300 ER
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 10000
Troubleshooting; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Company Policy; Aircraft
When we arrived at the plane; Maintenance was working on a problem with the left pack. Early indications were that it was a repeat item and they could not fix it and we began looking into the possibility of flying single pack. The MEL prohibits ETOPS operations single pack. The log book sign off was 'LEFT PACK FLOW CONTROL VALVE EXCERCISED (sic) AND PACK OPERATION NORMAL AS AMM 21-51-01' The Captain questioned what they had done to fix the problem. We were told they had lubricated the valve and mechanical linkage; and that fixed the problem. We were assured it was fixed; but the electronic logbook said the 'VALVE HAS AN INTERMITTENT FAULT.' We experienced the same problem on arrival at a domestic airport. After landing; I opened the crossfeed valve and the pack started working. Our logbook entry indicated this. I discussed the situation with Maintenance at that time and my opinion that the pack valve was clearly not the problem; but probably an engine bleed problem. The Mechanic told me he knew it was not the valve; but he was being ordered to replace the valve again. This Airline should only operate aircraft that are in a safe and legal condition. Mechanics lying to flight crew should not be tolerated. Line Mechanics should be permitted (or required) to solve the actual problem with the plane; not just the quickest thing to give the illusion the problem was fixed so the plane can operate the next revenue flight. Any and all management persons who approved or coerced others to release an airplane into revenue service when they knew; or should have known; that the problem was not fixed should be terminated. Maintenance assured flight crew the plane was fixed; when they knew it was not.
A pilot reported that his Company ordered a Mechanic to lubricate a B767-300 pack valve when he knew an engine bleed valve was the most probable cause of a repeat pressurization problem.