A320
Troubleshooting; Human-Machine Interface; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Aircraft; Procedure; Manuals
After pushback and engine start we performed the flight control check; all normal except for the rudder. With full rudder pedal deflection by the First Officer or me; the ECAM rudder position indication was of only half the required travel. We reported the issue to Maintenance and the decision was made to MEL this as an indication problem. I queried Maintenance Control on how the MEL's required external visual full rudder travel inspection would be accomplished. Initially Maintenance Control stated there were full travel markings on the tailcone but then rescinded that and told us there was only a rudder neutral marking. I asked Maintenance Control how they could determine full rudder travel versus 50% travel and I was told there was no way to guarantee that. We decided to refuse the airplane. I am very confused by this MEL item. The MEL states that full rudder travel must be verified visually. If the airplane has no markings and apparently there's no other way to measure full rudder travel from the ground. How can this be a legal and more importantly; SAFE; MEL?
An A320 Captain refused an aircraft after the full rudder throw flight control check yielded only half the required movement on the ECAM Rudder Position Indicator. The MEL allowed dispatch after a visual check but no rudder position indicators are installed on the empennage.