Dash 8-200
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL
General Maintenance Action
MEL; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part; Human Factors; Aircraft; Company Policy
DHC-8-200 aircraft arrived ZZZ September 2014 morning Gate XX. The Aft cargo door had a white info placard taped to the outside left hand side of the cargo door against white painted aircraft. It stated that the cargo door had a problem with the counter weights of the door. The door was so heavy the agent had a hard time lifting it up to get inside. The door has a safety latch catch to stop the door from coming down. You have to pull the handle to release the door. If; by chance; the latch never engaged; and it could happen; because it's so heavy that it's hard to push it up past the lock because of the weight the door could slam down with all that weight and cause a major accident to a ramp agent. This door should never be put into service like this. The aft compartment should not be used till this is fixed. This [aircraft] should be taken out of service ASAP.!!!!
Reporter stated his Air Carrier just deferred another DHC-8-200 Aft Cargo door for 10-days with the Counter Weight System broken. Doors weigh over 100-pounds and are very heavy to move. The Aft Cargo doors on their DHC-8-200 do not have a hold-open rod. Instead; a single Ramp Agent is expected to open and lift the door from the top of a Belt Loader and push the door up along tracks and hopefully be able to engage a metal plate to hold the door in place. Releasing the door is just as dangerous without the help of the door's Counter Weight System. Whether opening or closing; the weight of the door will slam down on anyone if their hands slip while attempting to move the door. He does not understand how the Counter Weight System for the door can be deferred under an MEL considering how heavy and dangerous the Aft Cargo door situation is for Ramp personnel.
A Ramp Agent questions the lack of safety considerations for cargo personnel who are expected to open and close the aft Cargo door on DHC-8-200 aircraft with the door Counter Weight System deferred under an MEL. The 100 pound aft cargo door could easily slam down on top of personnel while opening or closing the door.