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B737 captain reported maintenance was unaware of the aircraft's periodic windshield rain repellent treatment.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1477138 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201708 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | IMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Parked |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Rain Repellent System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
This is a general safety concern first officers have experienced landing a newer model aircraft in heavy rain. In the past we had to execute a missed approach because visibility forward was obscured by water on the windshield. The wipers were working as fast as possible; but were unable to keep up. We could see out the L2 and R2 windshields; but not forward. There have been other reports in the past concerning this issue with the newer model aircraft. My understanding is that boeing delivers a new aircraft that has a type of rain repellent coating on the windshield; but should be re-applied every 9 to 12 months. Since we were planning to take this aircraft into an airport with very heavy rain; I contacted maintenance control inquiring if there was a re-application of windshield rain repellent program. Maintenance control and station maintenance were not aware of any program. My question to company is why not in the name of safety; service; and on time efficiency? Yes; if we do not see the runway; it is safer to go missed. However; if a diversion is required due to fuel; we have impacted service and on time efficiency.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B737 Captain reported Maintenance was unaware of the aircraft's periodic windshield rain repellent treatment.
Narrative: This is a general safety concern First Officers have experienced landing a newer model aircraft in heavy rain. In the past we had to execute a missed approach because visibility forward was obscured by water on the windshield. The wipers were working as fast as possible; but were unable to keep up. We could see out the L2 and R2 windshields; but not forward. There have been other reports in the past concerning this issue with the newer model aircraft. My understanding is that Boeing delivers a new aircraft that has a type of rain repellent coating on the windshield; but should be re-applied every 9 to 12 months. Since we were planning to take this aircraft into an airport with very heavy rain; I contacted Maintenance Control inquiring if there was a re-application of windshield rain repellent program. Maintenance Control and station Maintenance were not aware of any program. My question to Company is why not in the name of safety; service; and on time efficiency? Yes; if we do not see the runway; it is safer to go missed. However; if a diversion is required due to fuel; we have impacted service and on time efficiency.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.