Maintenance issue causing deplane
Posted by ifdisdendat@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 11 comments
We had to deplane because maintenance issue. The captain didn’t know if it was going to take 2mn or 2h , it ended up being 2h so we deplaned. In the meantime someone from the maintenance was taping the front of some sort of fin on the left engine ( engine Chine?). Eventually when the call was made , he took out the tape. Can someone tell me out of curiosity what the issue seems to be here ?
XenoRyet@reddit
I think it's likely that the chine was loose or there was some question about its attachment or structural integrity, and the discussion was around whether speed tape was enough to mitigate the problem or if a more permanent fix was necessary before they can fly.
Immediate-Event-2608@reddit
Nah, they wouldn't speed tape if there was a concern about attachment, they'd just take it off. It's not necessary for flight but it could cause damage to the wing or stabilizer leading edge if it comes off.
This was most likely due to wear on the aero smoothing where the strake extends past the fan cowl.
XenoRyet@reddit
You think they'd do a maintenance hold for that though?
Immediate-Event-2608@reddit
Yep. To be safe and legal you absolutely would hold a plane for that.
Even if it was 100% OK you're still looking at a bit of time to look it up on the manual. Then if speed tape for it isn't in the manual you've got to call control, get the EA sent over, check out how exactly to apply the tape, which homeboy in the picture probably isn't doing right and if it is "right" it's not best practice.
It sucks, and everyone hates you for it, but it's the proper procedure.
XenoRyet@reddit
I was more wondering how wear to the aero smoothing was a safety issue and not an efficency one.
Immediate-Event-2608@reddit
It's not a safety issue, but it's still an issue and needs to be addressed before flight.
ifdisdendat@reddit (OP)
Interesting thanks. What is the role of a chine , and what happens if you loose one in flight?
RoostingRosco@reddit
It smooths the messy air that hits the wing after passing the engine. If it fell off in flight no one would notice.
BrtFrkwr@reddit
It's called a strake. It's a vortex generator that modifies the airflow over the wing at high angles of attack. There's no provision for flying without it in the Dispatch Deviation Procedures Guide so it has to be there. It looks like there was some issue with its attachment.
Swagger897@reddit
Vortex generator. The leading edges on these are a rubber/silicon material and degrade overtime. Eventually will be removed and replaced but as for dispatch relief you are allowed to speed tape over it in an approved pattern from an engineering revision.
vigilance7331@reddit
So I believe that is a strake on the left engine. It aides in creating a more streamlined airflow around the engine. This provides more fuel efficiency. There was no safety issue here, most likely.
They are speed taping the seals in front of the strake to maintain the streamlined airfoil.
A panel or seal must have been slightly more open than it should be.
Part of the time for your delay was for what you see here plus writing up the logbook and deferring the maintenance item.