Narrative:

Informed by mechanic assigned to the routine overnight check that there was found on the walkaround; a gouge with rolled and displaced metal on left side of fuselage skin; 32.5' inches aft of the aft service door approximately at water line (wl) 224. Damage was found to be 2' long; 1/4' wide and the maximum depth was 1/16' inches; with circumferential damage around the area measuring two inches in diameter. Initially placed damage into the maintenance file and completed a deferral for continued re-inspect; with reference to the structural repair manual (srm) 53-00-01-1a-2 and found to be within limits; in accordance with (in accordance with) area 'B'. Circumferential damage was within limits in accordance with srm 53-00-01-1a-1.I was informed from maintenance control that this damage was not referenced under the correct srm reference; which initially was placed under srm 53-00-01 fig 101 detail 3. I had then contacted engineering support for relief and was told that the skin thickness was .125' inches thick and that the deferral was sufficient for service; with limited service to 50 hours of flight time or 25 flights whichever comes first. Corrected for proper srm reference and allowed aircraft to depart per schedule. I was later informed of the event that it was determined that the damage had caused stringer damage and should not have been allowed to continue for service. Without the proper tooling to measure depth of the damage and relying on engineering support for direction; I had to determine through the use of the srm; that the damage was not of sufficient damage to hold aircraft in station for repair and thus released aircraft for service.I had referenced the srm for proper action to be taken; but had referenced the wrong item in the srm. This station is not equipped with depth gauges for determining the proper depth of any dent or gouge. We must rely on the use of the mechanics 6' inch scale to try to determine the proper measurements of any dent or gouge. I suggest that the proper tooling be assigned to the station; to avoid such an occurrence of this type from happening again.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Lead Mechanic reports on the difficulty determining the correct depth of a B767-300 external fuselage skin gouge; using only a Mechanic's six inch scale (ruler). He had deferred the skin damage under the Structural Repair Manual (SRM); but was later informed there was also stringer damage and the aircraft should never have been released for service.

Narrative: Informed by Mechanic assigned to the Routine Overnight check that there was found on the walkaround; a gouge with rolled and displaced metal on left side of fuselage skin; 32.5' inches aft of the aft Service door approximately at Water Line (Wl) 224. Damage was found to be 2' long; 1/4' wide and the maximum depth was 1/16' inches; with circumferential damage around the area measuring two inches in diameter. Initially placed damage into the Maintenance file and completed a deferral for continued re-Inspect; with reference to the Structural Repair Manual (SRM) 53-00-01-1a-2 and found to be within limits; in accordance with (IAW) Area 'B'. Circumferential damage was within limits IAW SRM 53-00-01-1a-1.I was informed from Maintenance Control that this damage was not referenced under the correct SRM reference; which initially was placed under SRM 53-00-01 fig 101 detail 3. I had then contacted Engineering support for relief and was told that the skin thickness was .125' inches thick and that the deferral was sufficient for service; with Limited service to 50 hours of flight time or 25 flights whichever comes first. Corrected for proper SRM reference and allowed aircraft to depart per schedule. I was later informed of the event that it was determined that the damage had caused stringer damage and should not have been allowed to continue for service. Without the proper tooling to measure depth of the damage and relying on Engineering support for direction; I had to determine through the use of the SRM; that the damage was not of sufficient damage to hold aircraft in station for repair and thus released aircraft for service.I had referenced the SRM for proper action to be taken; but had referenced the wrong item in the SRM. This station is not equipped with depth gauges for determining the proper depth of any dent or gouge. We must rely on the use of the Mechanics 6' inch scale to try to determine the proper measurements of any dent or gouge. I suggest that the proper tooling be assigned to the station; to avoid such an occurrence of this type from happening again.

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.