Narrative:

I was assigned to work on aircraft X. I performed first job card and found contamination on left engine fuel filter. I replaced the filter. Step 2 of the job card requires inspection of right-hand engine fuel filter if contamination is found on left engine. I notified my lead mechanic that I required a second job card to inspect right-hand engine fuel filter; and was told that planning department was going to assign the job card on a later time. I was directed to sign the block; which I did. In hindsight; I could have been more assertive that the second job card needed to be accomplished at the time. Because an earlier discussion with my lead mechanic regarding a missing work card that was assigned to the other aircraft that I was assigned led me to not argue about the requirement to accomplish the second work card. I apologize for not questioning the lead mechanic's response because on that night I was assigned 2 aircraft and parking duties and I know that the lead mechanic had his hands full with 7 amts and several aircraft to work. The only resolution I see; is for myself to be more assertive and try to get more assistance when an issue comes up. Contributing factors: lack of communication between lead mechanic and myself; multiple task and work distractions. Callback conversation with reporter revealed the following information: reporter stated he was working 2 md-80s that night. He believes the lead mechanic just wasn't clear on what he was saying about the need to issue another job card for the right engine fuel filter to be inspected; prior to his signing off for the left engine. Reporter stated they normally have 12 mechanics; but on that night; there were only 7 to do the same amount of work. His lead was also trying to finish the paperwork and release some of the aircraft for early morning departure. Reporter stated he is not sure if the right engine fuel filter was ever inspected.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Mechanic reports he found contamination of the left engine fuel filter of an MD-80. His job card also required the right engine fuel filter be inspected if the left engine fuel filter is contaminated. He was directed to sign off the item; without checking the right engine.

Narrative: I was assigned to work on Aircraft X. I performed first job card and found contamination on left engine fuel filter. I replaced the filter. Step 2 of the job card requires inspection of right-hand engine fuel filter if contamination is found on left engine. I notified my Lead Mechanic that I required a second job card to inspect right-hand engine fuel filter; and was told that Planning Department was going to assign the job card on a later time. I was directed to sign the block; which I did. In hindsight; I could have been more assertive that the second job card needed to be accomplished at the time. Because an earlier discussion with my Lead Mechanic regarding a missing work card that was assigned to the other aircraft that I was assigned led me to not argue about the requirement to accomplish the second work card. I apologize for not questioning the Lead Mechanic's response because on that night I was assigned 2 aircraft and parking duties and I know that the Lead Mechanic had his hands full with 7 AMTs and several aircraft to work. The only resolution I see; is for myself to be more assertive and try to get more assistance when an issue comes up. Contributing Factors: Lack of communication between Lead Mechanic and myself; multiple task and work distractions. Callback conversation with Reporter revealed the following information: Reporter stated he was working 2 MD-80s that night. He believes the Lead Mechanic just wasn't clear on what he was saying about the need to issue another job card for the right engine fuel filter to be inspected; prior to his signing off for the left engine. Reporter stated they normally have 12 mechanics; but on that night; there were only 7 to do the same amount of work. His Lead was also trying to finish the paperwork and release some of the aircraft for early morning departure. Reporter stated he is not sure if the right engine fuel filter was ever inspected.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.