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A captain questions company maintenance control and engineering's approval and use of speed tape to address missing and damaged rivets (fasteners) at the # 3 middle flap fairing on two different B737-800 aircraft. The pilot notes an airworthiness directive (ad) had been issued for the rivets; requiring interim repair or cdl deferral.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 955614 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201106 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737-800 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Parked |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Trailing Edge Flap |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural FAR Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
Last two trips I have encountered the same damage to two different B737-800 aircraft. In one instance; 30 minutes before flight attendants (F/a's) went illegal; maintenance control got company engineering approval to speed tape two missing; plus two damaged rivets on # 3 flap fairing; with a four-day deferral. In another instance; (after 5-hour delay); same company engineering approved speed tape [application]. [Maintenance] did not have the heavy sheet metal required to overlap the three missing; plus one damaged rivets. Maintenance advised there is an FAA airworthiness directive (ad) issued for these five rivets located on the upper edge; outboard section of the # 3 middle flap fairing. If any rivet is damaged; interim repair requires 1/8' inch sheet metal to overlap the damaged area and secured with screws or rivets. Maintenance control initially was confused as to whether this item was a primary or secondary surface on aircraft. One or other cannot be speed taped. This fairing is one of the few that cannot be removed and flown without referencing a B-737 cdl [deferral]. I have my doubts as to whether the FAA really approves the speed tape and extended deferrals.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A Captain questions company Maintenance Control and Engineering's approval and use of speed tape to address missing and damaged rivets (fasteners) at the # 3 Middle Flap Fairing on two different B737-800 aircraft. The Pilot notes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) had been issued for the rivets; requiring Interim Repair or CDL deferral.
Narrative: Last two trips I have encountered the same damage to two different B737-800 aircraft. In one instance; 30 minutes before Flight Attendants (F/A's) went illegal; Maintenance Control got company Engineering approval to speed tape two missing; plus two damaged rivets on # 3 Flap Fairing; with a four-day deferral. In another instance; (after 5-hour delay); same company Engineering approved speed tape [application]. [Maintenance] did not have the heavy sheet metal required to overlap the three missing; plus one damaged rivets. Maintenance advised there is an FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued for these five rivets located on the upper edge; outboard section of the # 3 Middle Flap Fairing. If any rivet is damaged; interim repair requires 1/8' inch sheet metal to overlap the damaged area and secured with screws or rivets. Maintenance Control initially was confused as to whether this item was a primary or secondary surface on aircraft. One or other cannot be speed taped. This fairing is one of the few that cannot be removed and flown without referencing a B-737 CDL [deferral]. I have my doubts as to whether the FAA really approves the speed tape and extended deferrals.
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.