After a Lead Mechanic had signed-off an A319's Airworthiness and Released the aircraft; a Line Mechanic informed the Lead Mechanic that one of two bolts and nuts for the First Officer's Window Release handle had not been installed. Window had been replaced due to a First Officer 'Window Heat fault'.

Date: 2012-01 · Aircraft: A319 · Phase: ground

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

Synopsis

After a Lead Mechanic had signed-off an A319's Airworthiness and Released the aircraft; a Line Mechanic informed the Lead Mechanic that one of two bolts and nuts for the First Officer's Window Release handle had not been installed. Window had been replaced due to a First Officer 'Window Heat fault'.

Narrative

It was brought to my attention that the aircraft I had Released for Service had parts missing from a First Officer's Sliding Window replacement during overnight maintenance which my shift [had] received a Turnover on to complete.The A319 aircraft was turned over to Dayshift for completion of installation of First Officer's Sliding Window pane. Reference Log page XXX. 'Partial work turn over' stated all work was completed except for Final Adjustments and installing the trim around window. Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) 56-12-11-400 was being followed for window replacement. Upon completion of job; I cleared work pack; closed MEL on Window Heat; reviewed all paperwork and made entries in Sceptre [Maintenance Computer System]. I signed-off Airworthiness and Released aircraft for service. Several hours later we received a call from the Third-shift Mechanic stating he forgot to install one of two bolts and nuts on the window release handle where it attaches to the window trolley bellcrank; item #380 Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC).Immediately I checked and found the A319 aircraft on lay over in ZZZ1. I called my Supervisor and informed him of the situation. We called ZZZ1 Maintenance and asked them to confirm bolt and nuts missing; which they did. In the meantime we checked IPC 56-12-11; located part numbers and called ZZZ1 with part numbers. I then had a conversation with ZZZ1 Lead Mechanic and using IPC reference; location of missing hardware was established. Shortly thereafter; ZZZ1 Lead Mechanic called and reported to me job was completed. I expressed my gratitude to him for their help in solving our dilemma.

Second reporter narrative

During a January night; 2012; Myself and another Mechanic were assigned to work an MEL on an A319 aircraft. MEL was for First Officer's 'Window Heat fault'. After some troubleshooting; it was determined that the First Officer's window would need to be replaced due to internal arcing. A new First Officer's window pane was sent for the aircraft. After determined the effectivity of the new pane; we proceeded with the task of replacing the First Officer's window pane. A Remove/Installation Manual was available on site and used as references. During removal of the old window pane; I discovered that the two fastening nuts at the bottom aft corner of the window are not accessible without removing at least one of the two bolts that attached the handle bellcrank to the aft window mechanism; (reference Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) 56-12-11; so I proceeded to removed one of the bolts' and set it aside; noting that the bolt must be left out for the installation of the new window pane. By the time I'd installed and torqued the new window pane; I noticed that it was getting close to the end of my shift; so I proceeded to the office to fill out a Maintenance Turnover form. When I arrived at the office I discovered that a Lead Mechanic had already filled out a turnover form on my behalf. I reviewed the turnover and it approximately stated that an old window pane was removed and a new window pane installed and torqued; and that a Rigging Check of the window is required. I agreed with the turnover and proceeded back to the aircraft to collect my tool and went home shortly thereafter. Several hours after I'd returned home; it suddenly occurred to me that no mention of the removed bellcrank bolt were mentioned in the turnover; so I immediately contacted the Lead Mechanic on duty and informed him of the removed bolt. A short time later the Lead Mechanic on duty called me at home and informed me that the aircraft is now in ZZZ1 and that he had contacted ZZZ1 Maintenance concerning the bolt; and ZZZ1 is sending mechanics to the aircraft to verify the installation of said bolt. This is the extent of my knowledge concerning this case.Prior to the occurrence; I'd work on the window for the entire shift; having taking only about a ten minute break in between. Only after I arrived home and relaxed for several hours then it just occurred to me that a mistake may have been made. [This was] caused by long hours of continuous work; too focused on a particular part of the task. I have no knowledge of what actions were taken. Suggest having a co-worker relieve you after several hours of continuous work.

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