Date: 201810
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: A320
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Flight phase: Parked
ATC / advisory: Ramp ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Procedure; Human Factors
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: We arrived on the flight deck; got situated; and before we had a chance to look at the log book; someone threw the paperwork down on the center console. I looked at the release and noted two MELS (among several):ENG 1 Minor Fault.ENG 2 Minor FaultAs soon as I read the release; I said to the First Officer 'that's not right'. You can only have one ENG minor fault on MEL. I called Maintenance Controller and explained the same to the controller and he immediately agreed. The Contract Maintenance Tech was just there (at the direction of Maintenance Controller) correcting the log book control numbers from the previously applied [placards].The Contract Maintenance Tech was still on board and I briefly explained to him the problem. These MEL's cannot be applied on both engines and he needs to contact Maintenance Controller for direction on how to correct this error. He called Maintenance Controller; took the log book; and left the aircraft.The Contract Maintenance Tech was gone for about 30 minutes then returned to the flight deck with the log book already filled out. I'll paraphrase the entries.Cleared ENG 1 minor fault.Cleared ENG 2 minor fault.I looked at the Contract Maintenance Tech....Seriously....what did you do to clear these faults? We've been here the entire time and nobody's worked on the aircraft. Where's the 'performed FADEC bite test; no faults found...? Where's the 'Reset EIU computer; fault cleared; OK to continue...? Where's the ball peen hammer and the roll of duct tape...?'Where's the maintenance action performed to clear these MEL's...??He looks at me and says... 'you really wanted me to do that...?'YES...!!!I called Maintenance Controller but could not get through. I called and spoke with the Dispatcher and explained the situation; he was equally appalled and said he would forward the info to Maintenance Controller.The Contract Maintenance Tech returned with his Supervisor who appeared to be much more experienced. The Maintenance Supervisor (who was not a party to this event until after the damage was done) began a speaker-phone discussion with Maintenance Controller about how we got here. Do I have to say anything....It's utterly ridiculous that I even have to send this report. This event clearly defines the breakdown of the operational integrity of this airline.FAA...Do something about it....! Flight Crew Placards should be discontinued completely. There is no Maintenance follow up; no Maintenance validation; no Maintenance back-up; [and] no Dispatch support. Once entered into the log book; the aircraft may continue on for 10 days without any double check (outside of flight crew) as to whether the MEL was applied correctly or appropriately.




Synopsis: A320 Captain reported refusing the aircraft until the appropriate maintenance documentation were completed. The Captain also included that this is a reoccurring issue.