21
Debate: Did I handle that coolant leak on the line right or overreact?
Last Tuesday at ORD I caught a slow drip from a 737 APU drain tube after a quick turn, and I flagged it for a swap instead of just tightening the clamp. The lead said I wasted 45 minutes of gate time for something that probably wouldn't have caused a problem until the next leg. Do you guys err on the side of caution for minor seeps or trust the schedule and let it ride?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
mianelson9d ago
Read somewhere that coolant leaks on APUs are actually one of the most common write-ups that get deferred, but they can turn into a real fire risk if the fluid hits hot engine parts. Saw a mechanic on a forum talk about a 737 that had a tiny seep like that, they let it go, and the next leg it sprayed onto the exhaust and caused a smoke event in the cabin. That's a full evacuation and an investigation, not just a 45 minute delay. Erring on the side of caution might piss off the lead, but covering your butt when it comes to fluid leaks is just smart.
9
caseythompson9d ago
@mianelson I heard a similar story from an old instructor about a Gulfstream that had the same thing happen.
3