MALFDNCTION/DISCREPANCY REPORTING

Many mechanics are reluctant to initiate or complete necessary paperwork believing they are responsible for "hands on" maintenance only. Additionally, many operators believe the paperwork is necessary only during the initial aircraft warranty period. They totally disregard reporting of service life limited parts, parts with "time between overhaul" periods or premature failures. They also fail to take into account that each new part purchased has its own warranty. The operator can substantially lower his DOC by assuring each discrepant part is returned with the proper paperwork. By maintaining current or updated files, he can accurately substantiate each failed part listing TSN, TSO, SLL, failure mode and other important data whether the part is still under warranty or not. Probably the most benefit is afforded the manufacturer which, in turn, benefits the operator by providing a better product. Time intervals can be extended allowing operators to use that component longer, thus lowering DOC's. Conversely, when reports indicate components are not going full term, the manufacturer can initiate an engineering change to improve the component. Additionally, discrepancy reports must be submitted by overhaul facilities. When an operator returns a gearbox for "making metal," a complete teardown analysis is required to determine what within the gearbox is failing. This information is vital to the manufacturer for engineering improvements.