2010-03 · NASA ASRS report 879875
A Lead Mechanic and another Line Mechanic report about an ATR-72 returning to gate due to an incorrect; continuing MEL deferral of a # 1 engine Torque Digital Readout discrepancy. Lead Mechanic forgot to clear the Digital portion of the gauge after Engine Ground Runs were performed.
I made a mistake deferring a mechanical discrepancy in the Logbook under item #1. I deferred the #1 engine Torque Digital readout discrepancy with the incorrect MEL 77-5. The event happened at the gate from XA:00 to XB:30. My Lead Mechanic; Maintenance Controller; Coordinator and the Flight Crews were involved. I was told about the discrepancy with the paperwork by the on-shift Inspector when arrived I at work the next day on Swing shift. I then realized that I had made a mistake with the MEL deferral. I believe the event happened due to a high workload and the time constraints. I had one hour to complete a Turn Around Check and the crew discrepancy in the Logbook item # 1 by myself; due to the fact we were short on manpower for this shift. Normally two or three Mechanics would have been doing this amount of work for the time constraints. My Lead told me I could defer the two discrepancies that were in item # 1 in the Logbook. I was so busy I had to call the Coordinator so he could call Maintenance Control and get the two MEL deferrals that I had requested. I normally would never ask a Lead Coordinator or anybody else; to get an MEL deferral for me. I also was constantly being distracted by my Lead Mechanic; Coordinators; Ramp employees; and the Flight Crew asking me how much longer it was going to be before I was done with my work; or could they board passengers; or load the baggage. I corrected the Logbook in accordance with (IAW) the Procedures Manual and restored the incorrect MEL 77-5.My suggestions are:1) to coordinate with my Lead Mechanic and request help when I am overloaded with work. 2) always read the MEL description very carefully before deferring a discrepancy. 3) never allow anybody else to call Maintenance Control and get an MEL deferral for me no matter how busy I get or how much pressure or stress I am undergoing.4) the company needs to increase the manpower on my shift.
Reference Logbook item #1. After resetting the Circuit Breaker (CB) for the #1 engine Torque gauge and performing Engine Ground Runs; I forgot to clear the supposed MEL 77-5 for the Digital portion of the gauge.I was made aware of discrepancy in the paperwork by an Inspector on Swing shift. I then realized the mistake that I made in the maintenance paperwork.This was caused by manpower shortage and time. I was in a rush to clear the #1 engine Torque gauge Write-up. I forgot to clear the supposed MEL 77-5 for the Digital portion of the gauge. I corrected my paperwork errors in accordance with our Procedures Manual. I would like to see more manpower and time to work on the aircraft.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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