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A line mechanic reports he noticed lightning strike damage on the lower fuselage body fairing of a B777 aircraft prior to departure schedule. He documented the discrepancy; but was threatened with an investigation by his maintenance supervisor after he refused to alter his logbook write-up to indicate chipped paint.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1072471 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201303 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B777-200 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Parked |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Fuselage Fairings |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Technician |
| Qualification | Maintenance Airframe Maintenance Powerplant |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
I was assigned to work an outbound flight [at terminal] gate. I noticed a lightning strike on a lower [fuselage] body fairing and I documented it in the logbook. I was advised by supervisor X; that a lead mechanic felt that the damage was not a lightning strike and that I should alter the logbook item so that the item could be signed-off as chipped paint. Based on my judgment and experience; it was lightning damage and I refused to alter the [logbook] item. At that time; supervisor X ordered me to get a union shop steward because he wanted to convene a hearing. There has been no investigation yet; but management has asked me for a written statement which may lead to an investigation. Management and a lead mechanic felt it was not lightning damage; but refused to sign the item off. I still remain assertive that it was lightning damage and was threatened with an investigation.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A Line Mechanic reports he noticed lightning strike damage on the lower fuselage body fairing of a B777 aircraft prior to departure schedule. He documented the discrepancy; but was threatened with an investigation by his Maintenance Supervisor after he refused to alter his logbook write-up to indicate chipped paint.
Narrative: I was assigned to work an outbound flight [at Terminal] gate. I noticed a lightning strike on a lower [fuselage] body fairing and I documented it in the logbook. I was advised by Supervisor X; that a Lead Mechanic felt that the damage was not a lightning strike and that I should alter the logbook item so that the item could be signed-off as chipped paint. Based on my judgment and experience; it was lightning damage and I refused to alter the [logbook] item. At that time; Supervisor X ordered me to get a Union Shop Steward because he wanted to convene a hearing. There has been no investigation yet; but Management has asked me for a written statement which may lead to an investigation. Management and a Lead Mechanic felt it was not lightning damage; but refused to sign the item off. I still remain assertive that it was lightning damage and was threatened with an investigation.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.