Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part; Logbook Entry
Was supposed to operate a B757 aircraft from ZZZ to ZZZ1 September 2014. The aircraft had an inbound write-up that 'Captain's crotch seatbelt cannot be securely tightened.' Also in the aircraft log history; there was a write-up from the day before; 'Captain's crotch seatbelt became disengaged from seat;' which was signed-off by ZZZ1 Line Maintenance saying 'reengaged captain's crotch seatbelt; checks O.K.' When the aircraft arrived at ZZZ; maintenance personnel signed-off the inbound write-up with 'Accomplished- seatbelt operation normal.'  However; once seated for departure; I attempted to secure the belt and tighten it. I was unable to; and when I got up and removed the seatcover I soon discovered the belt was installed completely backwards; with the end that I was supposed to pull to tighten; installed into the slot in the seat. THE ONLY THING SECRURING THE BELT WAS THE FOLDED END; WHICH WOULD INSTANTLY PULL THROUGH THE SLOT AND GIVE WAY IF SUBJECTED TO ANY SIGNIFICANT FORCE. The seatbelt was written up once again and maintenance came out to the airplane and was shown the incorrect installation of the belt. They then decided to swap seats with another aircraft. Once they removed the bad seat it became immediately clear that WHOEVER CLEARED THAT FIRST WRITEUP IN ZZZ1 IS EITHER INCOMPETENT OR INTENTIONALLY MISREPRESENTED THEIR ACTIONS AS AN AIRWORTHY REPAIR. That aircraft should not have been flying with the center belt just stuffed into the slot like it was. The failure to install the belt properly not only compromised safety; but also caused a significant and needless delay once I discovered it after it had once again been signed off as airworthy. Whoever was responsible for the 'reengagement' of the belt at ZZZ1 should not be allowed to work on our aircraft until appropriate action has been taken to ensure they will not repeat such fundamental error. I have no idea what ZZZ Line maintenance did before they signed it off the first time either; so they are to blame also. This event illustrates a lack of attention to basic aircraft maintenance procedures; inspection and repair. Maintenance Control management should be embarrassed that this problem was diagnosed by a pilot after being improperly handled THREE times by their staff: 1) whoever failed to properly install the belt to begin with. 2) Whoever in ZZZ1 that 'reengaged' the belt and signed-off the first write-up. 3) The last signoff by ZZZ Line Maintenance right before I attempted to fasten the belt for pushback.
Reporter stated the Captain's crotch seatbelt was not properly secured due to the lack of heavy safety wire that must be installed to hold a retaining rod that secures the seatbelt webbing end in place; under the seat. He continues to see an increase in maintenance work not properly accomplished; but signed-off including improper deferrals by Maintenance Control. There seems to be a culture change in the workplace with mechanics that is affecting the quality of their work.
A B757-200 pilot questions whether maintenance incompetence or intentional misrepresentation by Maintenance was responsible for three separate logbook sign-offs involving a Captain's crotch seatbelt that was installed backwards and not secured under the seat. Captain notes the event illustrates a lack of attention to basic aircraft maintenance procedures; inspection and repair.