B767-300 and 300 ER
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Company Policy; Procedure
While performing the ETOPS walk-around on aircraft; found evidence of hydraulic fluid under belly of aircraft. Opened panel 198CR; found no leaks. Found the inflation system ramp slide pressure hose Rh side FRAYED braiding; collapse and contaminated. Researched the Maintenance Manual (MM) procedures which states replacement of the damaged hose (FRAYED braiding). Entered in the Log Book; item was signed off by the supervisor with an EA (Engineer Authority); written by an Engineer.We are concerned with the safety and airworthiness of the airplane and the safety of the passengers. The item in question here is the TESTING that has been performed on the hoses and its passing performance.How is the Engineer determining the condition of the FRAYED hose without performing a visual detailed inspection? The engineer was never present at the aircraft to physically look at the damaged HOSE. The sign off was 'Maintenance reported a few damaged threads on the subject Outer Braid'. The EA accepts the noted condition as 'permanent repair'. This contradicts the findings of the write up! The FRAYED [hose] was broken completely. Documentation was sent to the Engineer to look at. The EA was written as a PERMANENT fix?  The maintenance manual states to replace damaged hose. If found FRAYED; bulged crossed threads or security of end fittings; and other signs of deterioration or damage. Are we not following the MM procedures any longer? Are we so desperate to dispatch flights at the cost of people's lives? Are people being bullied into signing discrepancies at what cost? Their jobs? People's lives?We MUST follow the MM procedures and keep in mind that SAFETY of the passengers is at stake when discrepancies are being signed off by supervisors and engineers that are not involved in the physical aspect of the airplane.
Maintenance Technician reported finding a slide pressure hose with frayed braiding; collapsed and contaminated; which was subsequently signed-off by a supervisor and engineer as serviceable; contrary to the maintenance manual.