B757-200
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
Inbound flight pilot write-up for elevator feel EICAS message in flight. My Partner said he saw something on a pitot tube on right side of aircraft. Kind of put two and two together and figured cover was accidentally left on tube causing a pitot difference for the elevator feel system. Followed B757 trouble shooting guide and inspected tube. Tube was totally clear with no damage. After following manual instructions and test; signed off item and aircraft left without delay. I would think the AMT (Aircraft Maintenance Technician) pulled the cover off by the string attached to it and it might have torn off making him think the cover came off. Stop installing covers on pitot tube if the aircraft are going to take another flight the same day. Cover should be installed on a long layover. Spent 10 years at another airline and I can't remember them putting covers on pitot tube for a overnight.
Maintenance Technician reports being assigned to an aircraft with an elevator feel EICAS message in flight. Reporter suspects that a pitot cover was left on the right pitot tube and mostly disintegrated in flight.