An Aircraft Inspector reports a maintenance practice has developed in their facility during C-Checks and become a 'NORM' when working on Fuel Systems. After an aircraft is defueled; Maintenance is started right away; without regard to the Fuel General Maintenance Practices and the Fire Safety Precautions listed in the Cessna 560XL Maintenance Manual Chapter 28.

Date: 2012-02 · Aircraft: Citation Excel (C560XL) · Phase: ground

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

Synopsis

An Aircraft Inspector reports a maintenance practice has developed in their facility during C-Checks and become a 'NORM' when working on Fuel Systems. After an aircraft is defueled; Maintenance is started right away; without regard to the Fuel General Maintenance Practices and the Fire Safety Precautions listed in the Cessna 560XL Maintenance Manual Chapter 28.

Narrative

It has become a 'Norm' when working on Fuel Systems; that the Aircraft is defueled and maintenance is started right away; without regard to the Fuel General-Maintenance Practices as listed in the Cessna 560XL Maintenance Manuals; Chapter 28-00-01 [section noting]: WARNING: Prior to performing Fuel Systems Maintenance; personnel should read and thoroughly understand all Fuel System Maintenance; Fire and Safety practices. Refer to General - Maintenance Practices. As examples:1) We as a Company; have no metal pail's that can be grounded. We are currently using plastic five gallon buckets (which have and cause static build up) listed in Manual One; General Step-J. 2) Electrical power carts are plugged in and being used when fuel access panel's are opened. 3) Almost all steps listed under........ [Section] '2' for Fire Safety Precautions'; are not being followed. Suggest as a safety precaution; all personnel working in the hangar (including Supervisor's); should have a training or 'refresher course' on Fuel Systems General Maintenance Practices and the dangers involved. We need to have our Leads and Supervisor's take more of an initiative to STOP the 'Normal' practices and encourage worker's to comply with Tasks as per defined in Aircraft Maintenance Manuals (AMM) without being 'chided' for doing it 'the right way' and not 'the Company way'. As a Company; the example needs to be set by supplying the right equipment (metal; groundable buckets) and [recognize that] safety guidelines are there to protect the whole facility and need to be followed to protect everyone working here.

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