Narrative:

Background to event. Aircraft 'X'; a dhc-8-100; for a normal ron (routine overnight) check. I wrote a write-up for fluid leak on #2 inboard tire that day; after a maintenance irregularity report [had been filed]. The epa (environmental protection) tank was full at the ron; so the drains were bagged to see what was leaking. It was the #2 flow divider. The divider was removed and replaced. In the early morning; a drain bottle was used to be sure the flow divider was a good fix and the fuel nozzles were not leaking. No leaks noted; all was well. However the drain bottle was never removed from the drain system; even after the leak checks were complied with. The aircraft departed two days later; as scheduled.another dhc-8; aircraft 'Y'; came in for a ron on the same night of the day aircraft 'X' departed. It also had a scheduled fuel nozzle removed and replaced. When it came time to install the drain bottle for leak checks; the bottle was not to be found in the parts room. It is now early and the night shift maintenance controller had gone home. It was brought to my attention that maybe the bottle was still on aircraft 'X' from the night before. I had to wait until a dayshift maintenance controller arrived; to [explain about] the possibility that the fuel drain manifold bottle was still installed on the engine. No write-up [had been made] for installing the drain bottle.at xa:30 I called maintenance control; and mr. 'X' answered the phone. I told him that #2 engine for aircraft 'X' may have the drain bottle still installed on the engine. I told him if it is there [drain bottle]; to call me so I may inform the chief inspector. I never received any calls later that morning; so I took that as no bottle was installed. It was not until the following night; while at home; that the [drain] bottle was located. So I called the base manager and the chief inspector to explain what I knew. I; at that time; found out that aircraft 'X' was not checked until late morning hours; [following my phone call to maintenance control].I [would suggest] whenever there is a possibility of an event; the supervisor goes into maintenance computer; writes up the problem and enters 'O' in the disposition block making the aircraft 'offline'. He then notifies maintenance control in writing; that there may be a problem with an aircraft that is not at his base. Just [making] a phone call; or even in person; does not prevent the aircraft from further flight. As was the case with this event; for aircraft 'X'.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Maintenance Supervisor describes his efforts to have a DHC-8-100 aircraft; that was released for service; checked for a possible engine fuel flow divider maintenance drain bottle still attached to the flow divider. Maintenance Supervisor did not have authority at his carrier to remove aircraft from service; only their Maintenance Controllers did.

Narrative: Background to event. Aircraft 'X'; a DHC-8-100; for a normal RON (Routine Overnight) Check. I wrote a write-up for fluid leak on #2 inboard tire that day; after a maintenance irregularity report [had been filed]. The EPA (Environmental Protection) tank was full at the RON; so the drains were bagged to see what was leaking. It was the #2 Flow Divider. The divider was removed and replaced. In the early morning; a drain bottle was used to be sure the Flow Divider was a good fix and the fuel nozzles were not leaking. No leaks noted; all was well. However the drain bottle was never removed from the drain system; even after the leak checks were complied with. The aircraft departed two days later; as scheduled.Another DHC-8; aircraft 'Y'; came in for a RON on the same night of the day aircraft 'X' departed. It also had a scheduled fuel nozzle removed and replaced. When it came time to install the drain bottle for leak checks; the bottle was not to be found in the parts room. It is now early and the night shift Maintenance Controller had gone home. It was brought to my attention that maybe the bottle was still on aircraft 'X' from the night before. I had to wait until a dayshift Maintenance Controller arrived; to [explain about] the possibility that the fuel drain manifold bottle was still installed on the engine. No write-up [had been made] for installing the drain bottle.At XA:30 I called Maintenance Control; and Mr. 'X' answered the phone. I told him that #2 engine for aircraft 'X' may have the drain bottle still installed on the engine. I told him if it is there [drain bottle]; to call me so I may inform the Chief Inspector. I never received any calls later that morning; so I took that as no bottle was installed. It was not until the following night; while at home; that the [drain] bottle was located. So I called the Base Manager and the Chief Inspector to explain what I knew. I; at that time; found out that aircraft 'X' was not checked until late morning hours; [following my phone call to Maintenance Control].I [would suggest] whenever there is a possibility of an event; the Supervisor goes into maintenance computer; writes up the problem and enters 'O' in the disposition block making the aircraft 'Offline'. He then notifies Maintenance Control in writing; that there may be a problem with an aircraft that is not at his Base. Just [making] a phone call; or even in person; does not prevent the aircraft from further flight. As was the case with this event; for aircraft 'X'.

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.