Communication Breakdown; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
On [day 1] Aircraft was sent to hangar by line maintenance for a left wing leading edge hydraulic leak; Number 2 slat area; hydraulic fluid running down the leading edge and over top of wing during flight. Upon further inspection; slat operation; and leading edge panel removal; I discovered the Number 1 slat actuator was leaking from rear of the actuator body during operation of slats. I decided in conference with hangar Tech Crew Chiefs (TCC) to write-up the Number 1 slat actuator to be changed or repaired. I wrote up the Number 1 slat actuator; the lower wing and upper wing surfaces to be cleaned from the hydraulic fluid leak. Instead of repairing aircraft as documented; on [day 2] a Manager signed off the Number 1 slat actuator leak as: 'Performed inspection check with hydraulics power on; no leak at this time. Also check the back of Number 1 slat actuator no leaks noted.' On [day 3]; a First Officer wrote up: 'Hydraulic fluid leaking from left wing dripping off flap track canoe.'Cause: Hydraulic leak on Number 1 slat actuator on [the aircraft] was duly written up by myself; in conference with TCC; troubleshooting performed; and documented for repair. Instead of leak being repaired as required; a maintenance manager along with possible other unknown persons; 'pencil whipped' the left wing hydraulic leak and the aircraft flew out. The leak was then written up again by flight crew on [on day 3]. This unwarranted action by a maintenance manager put aircraft and flying public in potential danger; along with lost revenue and costs of aircraft being out of service again to be correctly repaired.When an aircraft is out of service and legitimate faults are correctly documented by maintenance to be repaired; they should not be 'pencil whipped' by a maintenance manager negatively affecting safety of flight of said aircraft and the flying public at large.
Boeing 787 Maintenance Personnel reported writing up a hydraulic leak and the item was signed off by a Maintenance Manager without any actual repairs accomplished.