Narrative:

Aircraft X; a bombardier dhc-8-100 aircraft was in ZZZ. A new [flight] crew was getting into the aircraft and found the right hand windshield wiper not operational. Maintenance found the motor to be the problem; they started the process of the replacement. After line maintenance mechanics finished the installation of the motor they were unable to seal the access panel due to the heavy rain. The line mechanics moved the aircraft into the hangar to seal the access panel. I discussed with the line mechanic about using special procedures [allowing] the use of speed tape to cover the wet prc [polysulfied sealant]. After the job was complete; approximately xa:30; the line mechanic called in the sign-off. I was busy so he talked to a different controller [controller Y]. The sign-off was completed but they never issued the 70-hour maintenance time deferral. I was reviewing my discrepancy work sheets (approximately xb:00) when the dispatcher asked if aircraft X was 'all clear'. I said 'no'; I have not heard from ZZZ maintenance yet. When I looked in [our] maintenance computer; it was signed-off. I asked who signed it off and if they put the 70-flight hour maintenance deferral in the logbook. Controller Y asked me what deferral? I explained what line maintenance did and why they needed to do the deferral. He had no idea what I was talking about even though the third controller knew; as well as the supervisor; even the dispatcher knew what was going on in ZZZ. I believe the maintenance deferral was missed due to I did not get the sign-off [to handle] and controller Y did not have a clue as to what was going on with the aircraft and write-up. He just took the sign-off without asking any questions. This should not happen. He should have asked questions or deferred to another controller; not just blindly sign-off the aircraft. When I found out the deferral did not get put into the logbook; we tried to stop the aircraft from leaving the gate area. Then I found out it had already left the ZZZ station. I contacted the chief inspector and informed him what just happened. Then I contacted ZZZ1 maintenance to get the logbook when the aircraft arrived in ZZZ1. Dispatch knew the aircraft was grounded in ZZZ1 until the logbook was corrected. ZZZ1 maintenance had to reapply the speed tape when it got there. We need controller Y to pay attention to others in the office and ask questions if he is not sure. We; (most of us); work as a group and pay attention to all of the broken aircraft and help each other out (i.e. Troubleshooting; manual references; part number search).

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Two Maintenance Controllers describe how a DHC-8-100 aircraft was released without a Maintenance Deferral indicating Speed Tape had been applied over a First Officer's windshield wiper motor access panel to protect wet PRC sealant.

Narrative: Aircraft X; a Bombardier DHC-8-100 Aircraft was in ZZZ. A new [flight] crew was getting into the aircraft and found the right hand windshield wiper not operational. Maintenance found the motor to be the problem; they started the process of the replacement. After Line Maintenance mechanics finished the installation of the motor they were unable to seal the access panel due to the heavy rain. The line mechanics moved the aircraft into the hangar to seal the access panel. I discussed with the Line Mechanic about using special procedures [allowing] the use of speed tape to cover the wet PRC [Polysulfied sealant]. After the job was complete; approximately XA:30; the Line Mechanic called in the sign-off. I was busy so he talked to a different Controller [Controller Y]. The sign-off was completed but they never issued the 70-hour Maintenance time deferral. I was reviewing my discrepancy work sheets (approximately XB:00) when the Dispatcher asked if Aircraft X was 'all clear'. I said 'No'; I have not heard from ZZZ Maintenance yet. When I looked in [our] Maintenance Computer; it was signed-off. I asked who signed it off and if they put the 70-Flight Hour Maintenance deferral in the Logbook. Controller Y asked me what deferral? I explained what Line Maintenance did and why they needed to do the deferral. He had no idea what I was talking about even though the third Controller knew; as well as the Supervisor; even the Dispatcher knew what was going on in ZZZ. I believe the maintenance deferral was missed due to I did not get the sign-off [to handle] and Controller Y did not have a clue as to what was going on with the aircraft and write-up. He just took the sign-off without asking any questions. This should not happen. He should have asked questions or deferred to another Controller; not just blindly sign-off the aircraft. When I found out the deferral did not get put into the Logbook; we tried to stop the aircraft from leaving the gate area. Then I found out it had already left the ZZZ Station. I contacted the Chief Inspector and informed him what just happened. Then I contacted ZZZ1 Maintenance to get the Logbook when the aircraft arrived in ZZZ1. Dispatch knew the aircraft was grounded in ZZZ1 until the Logbook was corrected. ZZZ1 Maintenance had to reapply the speed tape when it got there. We need Controller Y to pay attention to others in the office and ask questions if he is not sure. We; (most of us); work as a group and pay attention to all of the broken aircraft and help each other out (i.e. troubleshooting; manual references; part number search).

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.