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A320 captain experiences a spoiler fault after pushback and returns to the gate. Contract maintenance is unable to correct the fault and the aircraft is dispatched with the number one spoilers on MEL. During approach; when the flaps are positioned from 3 to full; a very pronounced noise and vibration occurs and lateral control becomes unstable and extremely sensitive. Flaps are returned to 3 for landing.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 960420 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201107 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | A320 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Spoiler System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Not Flying Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural MEL |
Narrative:
After pushback and starting engine #1 we had ECAM 'flight control spoiler fault' and called company and returned to the gate for maintenance. Contract maintenance showed up tried to troubleshoot the problem with help via phone with maintenance control. The contract mechanic was unfamiliar with the airbus type. After 4 and 1/2 hrs the conclusion was a number 1 spoiler fault and secured the spoilers and apparently not having the proper tool to secure the number 1 spoilers; we departed with the number 1 spoilers on MEL. Upon arrival and after configuring the aircraft with gear down and going from flaps 3 to full a very pronounced noise and vibration occurred. Lateral control was unstable and extremely sensitive. After quick brief we went back to flaps 3 configuration and having enough control to safely land we continued and landed. Contacted maintenance and advised them of problem. Contract maintenance [was] unfamiliar with airbus and apparently [did] not have a proper tool to stow the number 1 spoilers properly.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A320 Captain experiences a spoiler fault after pushback and returns to the gate. Contract Maintenance is unable to correct the fault and the aircraft is dispatched with the number one spoilers on MEL. During approach; when the flaps are positioned from 3 to full; a very pronounced noise and vibration occurs and lateral control becomes unstable and extremely sensitive. Flaps are returned to 3 for landing.
Narrative: After pushback and starting engine #1 we had ECAM 'flight control spoiler fault' and called company and returned to the gate for maintenance. Contract maintenance showed up tried to troubleshoot the problem with help via phone with Maintenance Control. The contract mechanic was unfamiliar with the Airbus type. After 4 and 1/2 hrs the conclusion was a number 1 spoiler fault and secured the spoilers and apparently not having the proper tool to secure the number 1 spoilers; we departed with the number 1 spoilers on MEL. Upon arrival and after configuring the aircraft with gear down and going from flaps 3 to full a very pronounced noise and vibration occurred. Lateral control was unstable and extremely sensitive. After quick brief we went back to flaps 3 configuration and having enough control to safely land we continued and landed. Contacted maintenance and advised them of problem. Contract maintenance [was] unfamiliar with Airbus and apparently [did] not have a proper tool to stow the number 1 spoilers properly.
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.