A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240; Flight Crew Total 27000; Flight Crew Type 4700
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL
General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Aircraft
This aircraft had a history of keypad cockpit door chime failures. The keypad had been replaced earlier in the day. Upon arrival to the airplane I tested the cockpit door chime and it failed to ring. Maintenance was called where the Technician advised he was going to MEL the door chime which required the removal of power to the entire keypad. So; with power removed from the keypad emergency access to the cockpit is inhibited. There would be no way to enter the cockpit should there be an incapacitation of both crew members. There is no key access in this design on the Airbus. This MEL on the Airbus should be eliminated. With it; a flight deck crew is sealed off from the cabin without an option for emergency access should the need arise. I would have refused this aircraft had the Technician not been able to fix the chime; resulting in this MEL being applied.
A320 Captain reported concern about an MEL on the fleet that allows aircraft to be dispatched with the cockpit access keypad inoperative; since that would preclude any emergency access to the cockpit.