B737-800
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Aircraft
Aircraft had maintenance done at ZZZ1 requiring a [confirmation] flight. The reported problem was with the aileron system. Aircraft was cleared for service and flown to ZZZ the following day. The aircraft had aileron control problems going into ZZZ and the pilot opted not to report the discrepancy; however he informed me that the problem was on the flight to ZZZ and he had decided to bring the airplane to ZZZ2. The pilot then flew the aircraft to ZZZ2 and reported the problem. The aircraft went OTS and had extensive work to the aileron/spoiler system. The pilot in spite of having reviewed the aircraft maintenance history ignored policies and procedures set in place by airline when he did not report the discrepancy in ZZZ. His complete disregard for the safety of the passengers; crew members; and potentially the safety of any number of persons on the ground as any accident/incident would involve unwilling participants. Provide reinforced training to the flight department covering the responsibility of pilots to put safety first in spite of schedule; crew layover; or return to home base prior to scheduled time off.
A Maintenance Technician reported that an Air Carrier pilot neglected to notify the appropriate personnel that he had an inbound flight control problem. Instead; he departed to the next station where he reported the aileron issues.