Narrative:

[I] entered maintenance discrepancy in logbook for EICAS message 'slat lo rate' and the dates of the three previous logbook entries for the same item within the previous week. Maintenance performed another reset and advised that it was an indication of a computer fault but they were unable to make repairs at that time. I informed maintenance that as the captain this was not acceptable and that the repairs need to be made before I would accept the aircraft for flight. The mechanics responded with an 'oh well' and departed the aircraft. A short while later I was approached by a maintenance supervisor who admitted there was a problem with the aircraft but was still trying to persuade me to take the aircraft indicating repairs would be made that evening. I indicated that I would not accept the aircraft without repairs; the application of an MEL or a ferry permit would be considered. Conversation continued where I explained I would not accept an aircraft with a known problem except under the previous conditions. We were eventually assigned another aircraft.the issue here is maintenance's attempt to persuade a crew to take an aircraft with a known maintenance issue where MEL relief is not available. Maintenance needs to cease and desist in attempting to coerce crews into accepting aircraft with maintenance issues.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: EMB190 Captain experiences an EICAS message for 'Slats Lo Rate' and makes a logbook entry. It is discovered that the aircraft has a history of these faults; and when Maintenance attempts to sign off the fault with another computer reset the Captain refuses the aircraft.

Narrative: [I] entered maintenance discrepancy in logbook for EICAS message 'Slat Lo Rate' and the dates of the three previous logbook entries for the same item within the previous week. Maintenance performed another reset and advised that it was an indication of a computer fault but they were unable to make repairs at that time. I informed Maintenance that as the Captain this was not acceptable and that the repairs need to be made before I would accept the aircraft for flight. The mechanics responded with an 'oh well' and departed the aircraft. A short while later I was approached by a Maintenance Supervisor who admitted there was a problem with the aircraft but was still trying to persuade me to take the aircraft indicating repairs would be made that evening. I indicated that I would not accept the aircraft without repairs; the application of an MEL or a ferry permit would be considered. Conversation continued where I explained I would not accept an aircraft with a known problem except under the previous conditions. We were eventually assigned another aircraft.The issue here is maintenance's attempt to persuade a crew to take an aircraft with a known maintenance issue where MEL relief is not available. Maintenance needs to cease and desist in attempting to coerce crews into accepting aircraft with maintenance issues.

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.