Commercial Fixed Wing
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Other / Unknown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance
Aircraft; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Company Policy
I am writing this report with the sole purpose to inform and at same time bring awareness to everyone in safety that Management on night shift at ZZZ has been directing us to inspect and sign off the Pitot tube inspections way ahead of time of their departure time as opposed to what the AFMM 20-XX.XX.(X.X) which states the need for an inspection check PRIOR to departure and that it be documented on the AML. Now here at nights our RON (Remain Overnight) aircraft have these items already in the AML Log as entries to be signed off. I; as a Crew Chief; have strongly raised my disagreement to Management in that if any of my crew members were to sign this step too early in the night when the airplane is not scheduled to depart way into hrs later or evening hrs for that matter; could represent a safety of flight if for instance the pitot tubes were to get obstructed (FOD or insects) AFTER having them inspected too early and signed off in the logbook...this could have repercussions by the FAA on the mechanic who signed this inspection way too soon before departure if something was to happen either on taxi or takeoff. Hence; my disagreement with Management. I would like to bring this awareness in this report with the intent to bring Management's awareness into the sensitivity and at the same time importance of this Inspection be done as it states in AFMM 'BEFORE DEPARTURE'...I thank you all for your time and efforts put forth into this matter and hope that this issue be resolved. I strongly suggest that the AFMM be followed to the letter as it states: 'BEFORE DEPARTURE'...also we have seen way too many insects especially at NIGHTS!! Clinging to several areas of the fuselage; engines and gears up to and including PITOT STATIC TUBES/PORTS!
Air Carrier Maintenance Crew Chief reported being told to direct his technicians to perform an aircraft inspection procedure incorrectly.