Narrative:

Approximately 30 minutes before departure; someone from the ramp crew brought a potential hydraulic leak to mine and the first officer's attention. We followed him to the tail of the aircraft to discover two puddles of hydraulic fluid; one beneath the right horizontal stabilizer and the other underneath the fuselage. The fluid was coming from the right horizontal stabilizer. Some of it was dripping down and some was running down the fuselage and dripping off there. After we notified maintenance control; the contract mechanic arrived. He first stated that he thought there was no way that the fluid could be hydraulic because he thought the airbus was all electric. He then tried to explain to us that the fluid was residual de-ice fluid because he claimed that after he put fluid on his finger and then stuck it up his nostril; it didn't burn like hydraulic fluid would. When he realized that we weren't going to accept his thoughtful analysis; he stated that he guessed that he would have to go up on the de-ice truck and investigate further. After assisting him by pressurizing the hydraulics and then moving the elevators and rudders; he stated that he had discovered fluid on the return line leading from one of the elevator actuators. He claimed that he had cleaned the fluid and that after the system was pressurized and cycled; there was no more leakage. He signed off the write-up. I asked him if he had tightened any of the fittings and he stated that the necessary tools were in his shop and he didn't want to take the time to get them. He stated that the fittings looked tight and no more leakage had been found. In an extensive conversation with maintenance control; I became convinced that the problem was just a static leak and agreed to accept the aircraft. On the way to our destination; the first officer and I decided that since we were going to fly the aircraft for two more long legs after this that we would request to have a company mechanic re-inspect the actuator. A mechanic met the aircraft and we walked to the rear of the aircraft together. Upon reaching the right horizontal stabilizer we both noticed an active hydraulic leak in the same area with fluid streaming down the stabilizer. In a discussion with him; I was shocked to learn that he thought the contract mechanic had tightened the fittings and fixed the problem. I explained that in fact he hadn't and the (company) mechanic pointed out the action on the maintenance report that stated; found static leak on right inboard elevator actuator return line; where it hooks up-on the aircraft side...clean and secured line; no further defects noted; aircraft is ok for service.after a period of time; the (company) mechanic stated that the fitting was in fact loose and with great difficulty he had reached it with his tools and tightened it. He stated that based on the difficulty he had reaching it; he was sure that the contract mechanic had not performed the work that he signed off. While this may seem like an isolated incident; I am finding more and more issues with non-company mechanics. Please provide me with a safe work environment! I would also like to commend the ground crew for bringing this leak to our attention and assisting us during this event.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An A319 Captain reports being informed by the ground crew about hydraulic fluid leaking from the right horizontal stab section. A Contract Mechanic wipes up the leak area of the right elevator actuator and signs-off the write-up. Captain noted his concerns about his carrier's systemic problems with contract maintenance providers.

Narrative: Approximately 30 minutes before departure; someone from the ramp crew brought a potential hydraulic leak to mine and the First Officer's attention. We followed him to the tail of the aircraft to discover two puddles of hydraulic fluid; one beneath the right horizontal stabilizer and the other underneath the fuselage. The fluid was coming from the right horizontal stabilizer. Some of it was dripping down and some was running down the fuselage and dripping off there. After we notified Maintenance Control; the Contract Mechanic arrived. He first stated that he thought there was no way that the fluid could be hydraulic because he thought the Airbus was all electric. He then tried to explain to us that the fluid was residual de-ice fluid because he claimed that after he put fluid on his finger and then stuck it up his nostril; it didn't burn like hydraulic fluid would. When he realized that we weren't going to accept his thoughtful analysis; he stated that he guessed that he would have to go up on the de-ice truck and investigate further. After assisting him by pressurizing the hydraulics and then moving the elevators and rudders; he stated that he had discovered fluid on the return line leading from one of the elevator actuators. He claimed that he had cleaned the fluid and that after the system was pressurized and cycled; there was no more leakage. He signed off the write-up. I asked him if he had tightened any of the fittings and he stated that the necessary tools were in his shop and he didn't want to take the time to get them. He stated that the fittings looked tight and no more leakage had been found. In an extensive conversation with Maintenance Control; I became convinced that the problem was just a static leak and agreed to accept the aircraft. On the way to our destination; the First Officer and I decided that since we were going to fly the aircraft for two more long legs after this that we would request to have a Company Mechanic re-inspect the actuator. A Mechanic met the aircraft and we walked to the rear of the aircraft together. Upon reaching the right horizontal stabilizer we both noticed an active hydraulic leak in the same area with fluid streaming down the stabilizer. In a discussion with him; I was shocked to learn that he thought the Contract Mechanic had tightened the fittings and fixed the problem. I explained that in fact he hadn't and the (Company) Mechanic pointed out the action on the maintenance report that stated; found static leak on right inboard elevator actuator return line; where it hooks up-on the aircraft side...clean and SECURED line; no further defects noted; aircraft is OK for service.After a period of time; the (Company) Mechanic stated that the fitting was in fact loose and with great difficulty he had reached it with his tools and tightened it. He stated that based on the difficulty he had reaching it; he was sure that the Contract Mechanic had not performed the work that he signed off. While this may seem like an isolated incident; I am finding more and more issues with non-Company Mechanics. Please provide me with a safe work environment! I would also like to commend the ground crew for bringing this leak to our attention and assisting us during this event.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.