Narrative:

At the start of my shift; after our shift meeting; I was assigned to work on a crj aircraft. When I went to aircraft and was preparing to start work; I noticed fuel was dripping on the hangar floor and that the aircraft was jacked and power was 'on'. There was a fuel panel off the center tank where fuel was dripping. Thought this was a immediate safety hazard; so I informed the lead mechanic. Was told by lead and shown letter (e-mail) coming from bombardier; stating the amm was not clear on this matter; but after fuel venting and mop up inside tanks; power could be turned on. But it was up to company to decide safety factors. I was not happy with this letter because it did not seem official to me. Then went to inspectors office to ask them about my safety concerns. They looked in the amm and gave me phone number for the crj operator's maintenance representative. He told me again; about the same letter (e-mail) and told me it was official. In the past this has never been acceptable. The amm states that when fuel panels are opened; aircraft batteries disconnected; power 'off'; no ground electrical connection connected; within 100 feet and placarded do not connect in aircraft. There was lots of work being done to aircraft; electrical tools being used all around aircraft; and power checks being done. I was very concerned about safety of all personnel in the building. Power was still connected and 'on' when I left for my shift. There should be a change in the amm if this is ok; or we need to be updated on how long venting (of fuel tanks) should be and conditions for when it's appropriate for power to be 'on'. Need to find out all the safety issues that are involved with fuel panels opened and working with fuel when power and other checks are done. Need specific guidelines for everyone to follow.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Mechanic working a CRJ aircraft on jacks notices fuel dripping on the hangar floor from an opened center fuel tank; with electrical power 'On'. Mechanic makes several attempts to correct the safety hazard; but each time is shown a letter from aircraft manufacturer that the practice was acceptable.

Narrative: At the start of my shift; after our shift meeting; I was assigned to work on a CRJ aircraft. When I went to aircraft and was preparing to start work; I noticed fuel was dripping on the hangar floor and that the aircraft was jacked and power was 'On'. There was a fuel panel off the Center tank where fuel was dripping. Thought this was a immediate safety hazard; so I informed the Lead Mechanic. Was told by Lead and shown letter (e-mail) coming from Bombardier; stating the AMM was not clear on this matter; but after fuel venting and mop up inside tanks; power could be turned on. But it was up to company to decide safety factors. I was not happy with this letter because it did not seem official to me. Then went to Inspectors office to ask them about my safety concerns. They looked in the AMM and gave me phone number for the CRJ Operator's Maintenance Representative. He told me again; about the same letter (e-mail) and told me it was official. In the past this has never been acceptable. The AMM states that when fuel panels are opened; aircraft Batteries disconnected; Power 'Off'; no Ground electrical connection connected; within 100 feet and Placarded DO NOT CONNECT in aircraft. There was lots of work being done to aircraft; electrical tools being used all around aircraft; and power checks being done. I was very concerned about safety of all personnel in the building. Power was still connected and 'On' when I left for my shift. There should be a change in the AMM if this is OK; or we need to be updated on how long venting (of Fuel tanks) should be and conditions for when it's appropriate for Power to be 'On'. Need to find out all the safety issues that are involved with fuel panels opened and working with fuel when Power and other checks are done. Need specific guidelines for everyone to follow.

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.