B767-300 and 300 ER
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Situational Awareness; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Company Policy; Human Factors; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part; Aircraft; MEL; Procedure; Manuals
Found Speed Tape on outboard aft area of #2 Engine nose approximately three o'clock position. No colored Dot [sticker] and no Deferral Number in logbook. Notified Supervisor then removed tape to examine why installed. Found a four and half inch (4-1/2') scratch; no damage in mesh; pirep; per Structural Repair Manual (SRM) 54-15-01-1a. When I requested a deferral from Maintenance Control; I was given ATA Chapter 54-99. The correct ATA Chapter for cowling is ATA-71. I believe ATA-54 does not apply; and ATA-71 must be used.The Deferral List (Manual) is not complete; needs to be updated with each ATA that might have metallic tape issues. We're using incorrect ATA Chapters because the correct ATA does not have reference in the Deferral List. Update the Deferral List for all applicable ATA chapters; including the Engine ATA Chapters.
Reporter stated they use a Deferral List similar to the MEL; CDL and NEF Lists with limited ATA Chapters that can be used to track discrepancies involving Metallic Tape as a sign-off. The Speed Tape that is used for repair on their B767-300 engine Inlet Guide Vanes (IGV) and Outlet Guide Vanes (OGV) is not the typical thin; three inch wide Speed tape; but a 9' to 10' inch wide; very thick metallic tape. What mechanics and pilots are seeing on the flight line is peeling; separating and shredding of improperly applied metallic tape or the unapproved 3'-inch wide tape. Reporter stated that currently there is no Engine ATA Chapters on their Deferral List for the Engine Fan case that has approval for the use of Metallic Tape on the IGVs and OGVs. Part of the issue also involves what to do when the applied tape is no longer serviceable on the IGVs or OGVs. That's why he recommended the correct ATA Chapters be updated on the Deferral list to reflect the area that has metallic tape applied. Instead; his Engineering department decided to allow continued operation of the affected engines irregardless of the condition of the applied tape. These are overwater ETOPS aircraft.
A Line Mechanic reports about the lack of proper documentation and deferral tracking of metallic type Speed Tape applied to the # 2 Engine Outlet Guide Vanes (OGVs) on their B767-300 ETOPS aircraft.