ATR Undifferentiated or Other Model
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Human Factors; Company Policy; Aircraft
I [as Lead Mechanic X] was called by Maintenance Controller X. He asked if I would be willing to 'look at the Squib(s) on an ATR aircraft and sign-off on the RII requirement.' He told me that Line Lead Mechanic Y had done a Required Inspection and replacement at some earlier date; and had not had an RII signoff on the Task Card as required in Volume III. According to Maintenance Controller X; Line Lead Mechanic Y had been told by the Maintenance Control Assistant Manager that an RII was not required. Maintenance Controller X stated he would fax me a copy of the Maintenance Discrepancy form that Line Lead Mechanic Y had signed; and I could open the panel on the aircraft; inspect the Squib installation; and sign the RII off.I replied that I was not comfortable with doing this; as the task had been done in ZZZ1 and the plane had flown since the completion date; and that I had questions about the legality of doing this. (I determined later that the task had been performed also a week prior.) Also; I have never had occasion to Remove/Replace (R/R) the Engine Fire Bottles and Squibs on ATR aircraft (although I have done so on other aircraft) and I am not very familiar with the procedure on ATRs. Maintenance Controller X told me that he had talked to the Maintenance Control Manager about it; and he had said to see if this could be 'worked out' in this manner. I told Maintenance Controller X to tell the Maintenance Control Manager my concerns; and I would contact him later that evening to find out what they determined. I called Maintenance Controller X back; shortly after an hour. He told me that Line Lead Mechanic Y was going to contact Lead Mechanic Z at their Heavy Maintenance facility and ask him to do the RII signoff. I said that I still had concerns about this; but it was Lead Mechanic Z's call. Later; I found that Lead Mechanic Z was going to drive to [our Station]; have [our] Mechanic X remove the left Squib so Lead Mechanic Z could verify the Serial Number (S/N); and reinstall it. I talked to Mechanic X and told him to familiarize himself with the procedure in the ATR Maintenance Manual (M/M) and to call me if he had any questions or problems. According to Mechanic X; Lead Mechanic Z [from their Heavy Maintenance facility] arrived early in the morning the following day; observed as Mechanic X removed the [Fire Bottle] Squib; verified the Part Number (P/N) and then reinstalled the squib. After the panel was reinstalled; the sealant was put on a Non-Essential Function deferral. The job was completed about an hour later. Once again; I declined signing-off the RII as requested for two reasons. I was uncomfortable in signing-off on a procedure I had never personally done; or observed. More importantly; I felt it was improper; and certainly an [FAR] violable offense; to sign-off an inspection on a task that was completed at a different location and on another date.
Reporter stated that he and certain other Leads and some Mechanics have RII Inspection sign-off authority. The Task Card actually requires removal of the Engine Fire Bottle Squibs; inspection of the Squibs; verification of the Squib Serial Numbers (S/N) and than verification of reinstallation.
A Lead Mechanic was asked if he would 'look at' Engine Fire Bottle Squibs that had been installed approximately one week earlier on an ATR aircraft and to sign-off for the RII Inspection requirement that had not accomplished at the time of installation.