MD-82
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Time Pressure; Other / Unknown; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Staffing; Aircraft; Human Factors
October 2013; I was assigned to an MD-82 aircraft at the gate late afternoon. As I approached the aircraft; several ramp personnel were in conversation with Manager X and Supervisor X. The aforementioned company management personnel were explaining that the hydraulic leak the ramp personnel had noticed; was only post flight water condensation and that they need not be concerned. Ramp personnel had already notified the co-pilot of the suspected hydraulic fluid leak on the aircraft [that was] being readied for flight and this circumstance initiated a Line Maintenance item to verify the condition of the aircraft prior to the next flight. Manager X made numerous statements to ramp personnel asserting that the potential hydraulic leak was nothing to be concerned with and that they need not mention this any further. Upon seeing me approach the aircraft; Manager X gave me a verbal directive to 'stand down' and not approach the aircraft so that I was unable to perform my assigned duties regarding the evaluation and required corrective action to verify that said aircraft was in fully operational airworthy condition prior to the next flight of the day. He also stated that if I came near the aircraft he was going to take the aircraft 'Out of Service' (OTS). He also impugned my character to the ramp personnel; implying that I was going to follow all Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) procedures and follow my FAA licensed Airframe and Powerplant (A/P) Mechanic responsibilities; and that I could not be trusted to perform my duties in a timely manner. By the time I was able to physically get near the aircraft; Manager X had reversed his previous position that a potential hydraulic leak was nothing more than water condensation and took the MD-82 aircraft out of revenue service due to a potential hydraulic leak that he had not properly evaluated per manual references. He did not use any AMM technical data required per the FARs and our Air Carrier Policies and Procedures (P/P) to take such action. In the final analysis; had I not arrived at the aircraft when I did; the MD-82 aircraft might have been wrongly released by Manager X for further revenue flights; while potentially being un-airworthy. Manager X was focused on dismissing the ramp personnel's concern over the airworthiness while showing reckless behavior to his own subordinates. He also was willing to risk the safety of the flying public by willfully; knowingly and with intent; acting to violate the FARs and Company Policies and Procedures regarding safety of flight. His actions exemplify 'At Risk Behaviors' in his current assignment as an Aircraft Maintenance Manager.
A Line Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) reports his concerns about a company Manager's actions that exemplify 'At Risk Behaviors' in his current assignment as an Aircraft Maintenance Manager. A hydraulic leak found by ramp personnel on an MD-82 aircraft was originally deemed to be only post flight water by the Manager; but later required the aircraft to be removed from service.