A pilot reported finding three areas of an A321 aircraft covered with speed tape. Maintenance Control noted they did not have any documentation of the speed tape being applied. The Pilot added that this was the third time he has found damaged fasteners or aircraft damage covered with speed tape with no maintenance documentation.

Narrative

On pre-flight inspection; I found three areas of the aircraft covered with speed tape. I called Maintenance Control and inquired as to the nature of these repairs. They informed me that they had no documentation of the speed tape being applied and they called out Local Maintenance to investigate. Upon removal of the speed tape; it revealed two fasteners on a belly panel that were not secured because the backing nuts were missing. The tape on the right engine strut was covering an area of damage that had been filled with RTV [sealant] and taped over. None of these were documented or done with the concurrence of Maintenance Control. This is the third time that I have found damaged fasteners covered up with speed tape; with no documentation in order to hide damage. This aircraft required an Engineering Order (EO) in order to proceed. Some Maintenance personnel are covering up damage in order to either avoid repairs or delays. Closer inspections of the aircraft on daily checks and training on the proper remedies for these problems is required. This is not an isolated incident and there needs to be an investigation to determine which station is doing this.