A319
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90.2; Flight Crew Total 7226.8; Flight Crew Type 4915.3
Other / Unknown; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
I performed a preflight walk around. During the walk around I found one fastener sticking out very near the left flap on the fuselage. I also found a cable hanging out of a Hydraulic Service door and lastly; when [I] looked up at the Vertical stab I saw what looked like Anti-Erosion tape sticking up in several places. I reported these to the Captain and showed him the pictures of the discrepancies. I entered this information into ACARS and contacted Maintenance. After considerable time the Captain made two inquiries regarding the status (Maintenance frequencies); he was informed the Aircraft had to go to the Hanger.Another aircraft was given to [our] Flight and I again performed another preflight walk around. As I approached the aircraft; a Maintenance worker was inspecting [the same] aircraft ahead of me. As the Mechanic passed under the belly to the Left engine area I noticed a fastener hanging down in front of the right PAC [Air Conditioning] inlet (he missed the fastener). Once again (per SOP and Flt Manual Guidance) I looked up at the tail of the aircraft and noticed the Anti-Erosion tape sticking up in numerous places. I approached the Maintenance worker and pointed to the vertical stab and mentioned the tape. After he looked at it I asked him if I should go ahead and write it up; he replied 'yeah'. I then approached the Captain and briefed him; as well as showed him the two pictures. I then entered the information into ACARS. A Technical Supervisor came into the cockpit and proceeded to tell me several times that the Anti-Erosion tape was not a safety of flight issue. It was easy to tell he was upset. He then told me that I'm not allowed to take pictures of the aircraft. I politely told him I do that for convenience and FOR MY PROTECTION.?? He then began again telling me that the write-ups are legitimate but not safety of flight. I then politely told him that it is not our job to determine safety of flight; it is up to the Engineers; Manufacturer; Company; FAA to make that determination. I personally know that our Vertical Stab has composite material and I also know that water infiltration; that freezes; is not good.. However; airworthiness is NOT my decision!In the past; Chief Pilot (CP) has called me into the office and pressured me not to write up airplanes. Chief Pilot stated the planes are pulled off the line once a week to work them. I politely told Chief Pilot these airplanes fly multiple times per day and need to be looked at daily. CP also stated that after looking at company's Airbus walk around video; everything I have written up is legitimate. The walk around video also has a hanging fastener in the video.[Our] Air Carrier maintenance is the worst I have seen in my flying career; especially at [this airport]! At [this airport] they don't want to fix planes and give a whole lot of crap for writing something up. Company Air Carrier should not pressure pilots to 'NOT' write up an aircraft with a known defect!! Trying to calm the Maintenance Supervisor; I told him that the Columbia Shuttle that crashed over half the state of Texas thought that the ice chunk that fell off during launch was not a safety of flight issue but tragically they were wrong. My job is not to make that decision but to salute smartly and press on when the discrepancie(s) have been addressed per the [rules]. The Captain and I were walking down the jetway to the aircraft and two Maintenance workers entered the jetway door and one said to the other (IN FRONT OF CUSTOMERS); 'Which one is it? I replied 'what difference does it make?? The Maintenance worker then said loudly I'm not talking to you. At that point I disengaged so as to de-escalate the situation. Recently; I expressed my maintenance concerns with [the] Captain . I mentioned that I have some ideas that may help our poor maintenance. In his [communication] response to me he said he would have one of his staff get in touch with me. My concerns are: Ramifications for doing my job from both Maintenance and my Supervision and the health of our aircraft. If a quick pilot walk around can ground an aircraft; why is Maintenance not finding these items? I am truly concerned that [our] Air Carrier will retaliate for LEGITIMATE WRITEUPS. For this reason I take a photo of the fastener; crack; seal etc; (which is time stamped and geo located). After the Chief Pilot called me into the office for writing up aircraft; I keep a copy of the write up entered into ACARS and when the item is cleared I print and keep a copy of the Maintenance Release. I do this in an attempt to protect myself.
A First Officer reports he found Anti-Erosion tape sticking up in several places on the Vertical stab of an A319 aircraft during preflight. A replacement Airbus for the same flight was also found to have similar location of Anti-Erosion tape deterioration. Both aircraft were removed from service. First Officer also notes the pressures from a Maintenance Supervisor and their Chief Pilot to 'not write up airplanes'.