A Line Mechanic and Maintenance Controller report about another Mechanic who exceeded the temporary RII inspection authority issued to him by the Maintenance Controller to help expedite an engine change installation on a company DHC-8-100 aircraft. The #2 engine was replaced due to excessive oil leakage.
Synopsis
A Line Mechanic and Maintenance Controller report about another Mechanic who exceeded the temporary RII inspection authority issued to him by the Maintenance Controller to help expedite an engine change installation on a company DHC-8-100 aircraft. The #2 engine was replaced due to excessive oil leakage.
Narrative
We had an engine change on a DHC-8-100 aircraft for #2 engine leaking excessive oil. I was the Senior Mechanic on shift with three other mechanics with very little to no experience on an engine change. The weather at the time was very severe rain; so in turn only one Mechanic was sent up from ZZZ1 with all the equipment to change the engine. We were provided a hangar by another Air Carrier. So with the manpower we were given; we began the engine change with the paperwork. I handled the engine change; as well as the gate calls in the station.We finished the engine change the next day. From what I was told; everything went well with the engine change. The aircraft was ferried to ZZZ1 and did some flights from there from what I was told by Supervisor. A flight crew found oil coming from [propeller] hub assembly.The reason the event occurred was due to the lack of manpower and experience. When the engine was dropped; we needed a Quality Control (QC) Inspector; which was not able to get there on time due to weather conditions. So; Maintenance Control gave permission for Mr. X from ZZZ1 to have a temporary RII [inspection authority] for certain parts of the engine installation. As we continued to install the engine we needed more QC blocks signed-off by an Inspector. Mr. X from ZZZ1 insisted to continue and that he would RII the rest of the engine change. As far as I could think of; all the work that I performed on the hub assembly and the propeller was looked at by the Mr. X from ZZZ1 and was performed in accordance with the work card provided.From what I was told; the aircraft got ferried back to ZZZ1 and the work was looked at again. I have no comment or suggestions for avoiding this recurrence.
Second reporter narrative
I arrived at work in ZZZ1 and was given turnover on an engine change in ZZZ. Both the other [Maintenance] Controller and I were handling various facets of the maintenance being performed. These included movement of personnel and acquiring a hangar due to inclement weather. Due to personnel having to return to their home bases; we were left without an RII [qualified Inspector] on site [in ZZZ]. One of the mechanics called and said they had the engine out of the nacelle and had the new engine hanging from the chain hoists. Air Carrier Y [in ZZZ]; had given them a deadline of XB:00 PM to get the engine/aircraft out of the hangar. Our RII [Inspector] was not to be on-site before XC:00 PM.I was asked by Mr. X if I could issue a 'temporary RII' [inspection authority] for the engine installation. The individual assured me he had performed numerous engine changes while working routine overnight checks (RON) in ZZZ1. I explained at that point I would not issue a temporary RII for the entire engine change. However; I would issue a temporary RII for the pre-inspection of the nacelle and securing the engine in the [pylon] mounts. This should have allowed them ample time to meet the time constraints set by Air Carrier Y to exit the hangar by XB:00 PM. The Chief Inspector was out of the office so I contacted his delegate. I explained the deadline and we agreed to allow Mr. X to inspect the nacelle prior to the engine installation; putting the engine into the mounts and securing it; nothing more.I explained in detail to both individuals involved; prior to sending the temporary RII Inspector to ZZZ; Mr. X was to inspect only the nacelle prior to the engine installation and the engine installation in the mounts; which would allow us to secure the engine and safely move the aircraft. This was reinforced numerous times stating the same thing over and over to avoid any confusion as to the boundaries of the RII. He was also told that I needed him to fill out the temporary RII paperwork and fax it back immediately. Mr. X agreed and I started the process of filling out the paperwork and faxing it.I called ZZZ approximately three times requesting the return of the temporary RII paperwork. Evidently; Mr. X was too busy performing the inspections and couldn't take the time to review the paperwork and fax it back to Maintenance Control. My final call; I insisted (talking to the ZZZ Mechanic) that Mr. X stop what he was doing; fill out the paperwork; and fax it back [to ZZZ1]. I received the paperwork back prior to leaving at the end of my shift; XA:30 PM. I returned to work after my weekend and was advised the engine developed an oil leak.After my explanation [to Mr. X]; there should have been no question as to the limitations of the RII issued. Mr. X was questioned by the Mechanic on duty [in ZZZ] as to the limits of the temporary RII [inspection authority] and what Mr. X was actually inspecting. This disregard to the RII procedure and to myself; after making the limits of the RII issued crystal clear; should not be tolerated.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.