Technician/Inspector reported that a required document package was completed prior to the aircraft's entry into service as required by FARs; making the aircraft non airworthy and not ready for service.

Date: 2021-10 · Aircraft: Helicopter · Phase: ground

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-less-severe|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-far|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-maintenance|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

Technician/Inspector reported that a required document package was completed prior to the aircraft's entry into service as required by FARs; making the aircraft non airworthy and not ready for service.

Narrative

In preparation for an FAA 337 field approval; it was found that this rotorcraft did not have a document package completed prior to entering service as [it's new purpose] rotorcraft. The document package did not have the following: any record of airworthiness directive compliance; air-frame and engine service bulletin compliance and current engine life limited parts usage and remaining service hrs/cycles. As part of the crews pre-flight action; there is a ' daily ' form completed by the repair station with aircraft specific daily engine; air-frame and any installed items with an 'ICA' inspections. The crew will perform the inspections and then initial the form showing completion of the task. I found a form being used that was developed for a different aircraft with the 'N' number crossed off and the inspected aircraft's registration number hand written next to the crossed off number. The listed daily inspections did not apply and this form has been in use since the aircraft entered service. A daily Airworthiness Directive (AD) XXXX-XX-XX detailing a visual inspection of an engine drain valve for presence of external fuel leaks was never complied with or recorded in the aircraft records. The prior Director of maintenance had put the aircraft into service without researching the aircraft status regarding inspections and AD/SB compliance. A new form was completed detailing the specific aircraft configuration and required daily inspections. This was placed in the crews aircraft flight tin for their pre-flight use. The crews were instructed by demonstration and service bulletin illustrations on how to perform the inspection. The daily AD and SB inspection will now be performed and recorded.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.