Date: 201409
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: Citation Excel (C560XL)
Operator: Fractional
Operating under: Part 91
Mission: Ferry / Re-Positioning
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Pax Seat
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Fractional
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Human factors: Other / Unknown
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Routine Inspection
Result: General Maintenance Action; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: Earlier today I initiated [a repair] process on a passenger seat in the XL.  Seat #5 would not secure in the stowed position and there is no MEL relief in this case.  The [log entry] was accepted by the maintenance controller. During the post-flight process it was discovered that seat 3; seat 6; and seat 7 would also not secure WHEN weight was in the seat. In other words; the MEL provided relief as long as those seats would not be occupied.  I proceeded to send in those additional seat squawks utilizing the MEL process. Shortly thereafter; my partner and I were briefed for hotel duty. Noting that [Maintenance Control] had already dispatched an onsite mechanic; my partner and I elected to stay with the aircraft.  We believed that this was a minor fix and would more than likely be called back to the airport and assigned flight duty. After about two hours the onsite MX personnel notified me that the seat; as well as the other MEL'd seats had been fixed. I went out to the aircraft and quickly noticed that ALL  of the problems still existed.  I then notified the onsite tech and he seemed surprised that I OPS checked it and ALL OF HIS WORK HAD failed. The tech then went back to work on the plane for another hour before asking me to come OPS check the 4 seats again. THIS IS WHERE IT GOT REAL DICEY???The tech informed me that's the best he can do.  We are not equipped to handle these type of repairs. I asked what the plan was and he said; 'YOUR [Maintenance Control] HOTLINE HAS ASKED ME TO JUST SIGN THEM OFF.  THEY ARE REALLY GIVING ME A LOT OF PRESSURE AND DON'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT ISN'T JUST AN EASY FIX.' I explained that if the seats are not repaired; the MEL status on seats 3;6; and 7 will remain.  I also explained that if we cannot secure seat 5; its not MELable.  I further explained that he will need to continue to work with the[Maintenance Control] to come to a solution. Furthermore; I sat with the tech in the plane and detailed my understanding of fixed vs. MEL'able in regards to the seats. My partner and I then departed the FBO and went to the hotel. After we arrived at the hotel (approx 20 minutes after my last conversation with the onsite tech) I opened [my Blackberry] and discovered that the tech was going to sign off the 5 squawks (4 seats and a busted wemac vent.)   The wemac signoff is probably legit.   It is my position that maintenance issues weren't properly resolved.  If we have [Maintenance Control] pressuring vendor shops to sign off repairs despite no resolution/fix this is a serious safety and regulatory issue. The next morning; we arrived at the airport to initiate preflight duties for assigned flight. We quickly discovered that  the onsite tech assigned to fix the seats; had simply signed the seat off as well as the 3 MEL'd seats.  It appeared that there was absolutely no difference in the operation of said seats from the previous duty day.  In other words; we ops checked all of the seat work and it all failed. I have no idea how [the company] can fix such a systemic maintenance issue.  [Maintenance Control] is under tremendous pressure to widdle that down time into the smallest possible number.




Synopsis: CE560 Captain reported discovering that a passenger will not remain upright with the seat unoccupied and that three other seats will not remain upright when occupied. A logbook entry is made and a local mechanic is dispatched to effect repairs. After the repairs have been completed and the logbook signed; the Captain finds that nothing has changed.