A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 148; Flight Crew Type 1984
Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Company Policy; Human Factors
With all doors closed and ready for pushback 10 minutes early; the Tug Operator reported that after the forward cargo door was closed he noticed a loose screw sticking out of it. After the Captain inspected the screw; we reported the discrepancy and contacted Operations to advise them that maintenance action was pending. Shortly after we received a message from [Maintenance Control] that the Contract Mechanic was working on an [Air Carrier] aircraft and would proceed to our aircraft in 30-45 minutes. After 60 minutes passed the Captain contacted [Maintenance Control] by phone and the Controller indicated the Mechanic would be with us in 5-10 minutes. Five minutes later a Supervisor came to the flight deck and stated they were finalizing the [Maintenance Release] for us. Since we did not see any maintenance vehicles or mechanics arrive; the Captain went outside to verify that the screw was tightened to discover it was still loose and protruding. The Captain also queried ramp personnel about the presence of a mechanic and nobody saw one arrive. After receiving [the Maintenance Release] stating the screw was tightened we concluded that one of three scenarios had played out; 1. The mechanic repaired the wrong airplane (there was only one [Company] aircraft at the terminal at that time); 2. The mechanic tightened the wrong screw; or 3. The mechanic never took any action on our aircraft and reported it as corrected (the most likely given nobody saw a mechanic prior to receiving the [Maintenance Release]). The Captain continued coordinating with [Maintenance Control] and we were repeatedly assured a mechanic would arrive in 5-10 minutes. Two and a quarter hours after our departure time a mechanic arrived and in 3 seconds corrected the discrepancy. The Captain asked the mechanic if he had been to the plane previously and he stated he had just been called in from home a few minutes prior. We finally departed 2+30 minutes late and all connecting passengers had to be rebooked onto other flights. I appreciate [Maintenance Control's] attention and help with getting these problems resolved by the contract maintenance company.The next morning; on [another] flight; the inbound crew had reported that the windscreen required cleaning. Upon arrival to the aircraft it was clear the windscreen had not been cleaned but again the [Maintenance Release] stated that action had been taken by contract maintenance the discrepancy had been corrected. Twice in as many days![Company Policy] states safety is our highest priority; so the area of major concern for us is that contract maintenance companies are not taking action on reported discrepancies; yet they are reporting them as corrected. The safety issue is enormous; not to mention the potential legal ramifications of operating aircraft that [Maintenance Control] releases as safe and legal for flight based on action reports from contract maintenance.
A321 Captain reported maintenance discrepancies are signed off without proper maintenance action.