A319
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Time Pressure; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft; Company Policy; Human Factors; Staffing
Aircraft X had TDI Terminate drop dead on date of occurrence for #2 Engine rear spinner cone seal damage. It is my understanding that the new seal did not arrive until after midnight on date of occurrence. After the time it took to be received; the seal was not available until approximately XA:30. Aircraft X had a XD:00 departure. I was assigned the task to change the seal at XA:45. After consulting with the Lead; I was given the AMM (Aircraft Maintenance Manual) reference to remove and reinstall the front and rear spinner cones. We had difficulty finding a reference for replacing the seal and before it was found and I was instructed to start the task. I removed the front and rear spinner cones as well as the damaged seal on the rear spinner cone. I then cleaned the surface in preparation for new seal installation. At this point I made clear to the Lead that I was not going to reinstall the spinner until the sealant had the required time to cure. I was given black RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) to use for installation and so I also made clear that the sealant previously used looked to be clear and so I would not use black RTV if I did not have documentation that it may be used. Then the Supervisor decided to have the aircraft moved to the gate. During the period of aircraft movement; I consulted with the Supervisor regarding the status of the task. He then he told me; 'The aircraft has got to go on its scheduled flight. Just put it on and I (he) will sign it off.' Still; there is no documentation available for seal replacement. As I approached my vehicle to proceed to the aircraft; the Lead pulled up in his vehicle and asked for the spinners and the new seal. I told him I did not have the sealant to use and he said they were just going to use white RTV. He proceeded to the aircraft where [two] mechanics were instructed to assist in the seal installation and reinstallation of the spinners. The rear spinner was installed immediately after the new seal was installed and no time was given to cure. The Lead signed off the seal replacement.Lack of part availability. Lack of planning. Lack of concern for proper procedure. On Time Performance Pressure. Lack of training regarding reference search of engine manuals. Supervision instruction to disregard having proper documentation during task accomplishment. Lack of staffing.[Recommend] Supervision that cares about doing the job correctly. Management/Supervision that does not pressure to the point that Leads and mechanics are intimidated into improper procedure and sign off. RON (Routine Overnight Check) planning so that part is available for repair at the beginning of the shift. RON planning so that the task is scheduled before the very day that the deferral drops dead. Staffing that allows for enough mechanics to accomplish task immediately following aircraft RON arrival.
Maintenance Technician reported that aircraft repair was accomplished in violation of proper procedure to avoid affecting aircraft schedule.