Date: 202105
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: A300
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Cargo / Freight / Delivery
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Lead Technician
Reporter qualification: Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Human factors: Other / Unknown
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Maintenance
Result: General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: I was called to assist in an aircraft spill situation on an A300 aircraft. I arrived as the First Responder was finishing up. I initiated the spill form and another AMT (Aircraft Maintenance Technician) documented the spill in the aircraft logbook. The aircraft had been in ZZZ since about midday and the spill was reported by the unload crew. The aircraft arrived with no containers in the aft lower compartment where the spill was located so a determination as to the source of origin for the spill would not be possible. The aircraft had operated [two] previous flight legs. The spill affected all areas of both the LH side and RH side outboard positions 5 through position 6. The responder said the spill was a 'mild' alkali and that he had used gray spill pads to try to absorb and clean up the unknown material. He said that a sample should be sent out to positively identify the substance. I documented this on the spill form which I completed down to the corrective action field. I inquired as to obtaining an [reference number] but there seemed to be a hesitancy to issue one and the spill form seemed to be met with the same response. The responder showed me the reference material that he used and stated that sodium bicarbonate could be used to clean up the unidentified spill. I informed both him and several on site Supervisors that since it had been identified as an alkali; the AMM (Aircraft Maintenance Manual) Chapter 5 procedures (as per the GMM) would take precedence for any cleanup actions. It appeared that they wanted to load the aircraft but sometime later; the aircraft was ultimately removed from service. I later spoke briefly to the incoming supervisor prior to my leaving my shift for the day and mentioned the spill form which needed the [reference number] and remaining entries after corrective actions were completed. The following day I pulled the history and saw that the log item had been cleared and noted that there was no deferral for a spill on the aircraft. Since I had initiated the spill form; I was concerned and called Company and asked if they had a copy of the completed form. They controller looked but could not find one. I reached out to the [records department] who had the applicable log page but no attached spill form. I inquired as to whether the form had possibly already been scanned and the log page was there but the spill form was not to be found. I informed my Supervisor of my concerns. I understand the GMM (General Maintenance Manual) procedure directs that once the area has been cleaned and a visual inspection accomplished by the AMT; no further action is required but there is more to that procedure. GMM spill response procedures cover roughly two pages and are fairly specific regarding spills determined to be an alkali; a spill that does not have a known source and the requirement for a deferral for a reinspect of the spill area at a later date. The GMM also provides guidance for the disposition of the aircraft spill form. I went upstairs to my manager's office and asked the questions regarding this procedure with the GMM in hand. The response that I got was that the spill was cleaned up by a [company name] vendor that we pay good money for (cleanup service) and at that point; the aircraft spill form is no longer necessary and that is the end of it as far as I was to be concerned. I mentioned that his answer is not in line with what the GMM says. My ultimate concern is for the aircraft and for the AMT's who signed the logbook if any part of this process was misrepresented to them in the name of getting the aircraft back into service. Hopefully this is not the case. The ZZZ Aircraft Hazardous Material Spill Flow Chart; the GMM and the Aircraft Substance Spill Form are very specific with the responsibilities for spill events such as this. It seems like every spill event in ZZZ is like the first time with decisions being made on the fly.




Synopsis: Air carrier Maintenance Technician reported cargo spill cleanup procedures were not correctly followed.