Date: 201909
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Technician
Reporter qualification: Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL
Detector: Person Maintenance
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Manuals; Procedure; Company Policy; Logbook Entry
Primary problem: Logbook Entry

Narrative: I was doing ETOPS exterior inspection; finding numerous issues which exceeded what would 'normally' find while doing an exterior inspection.  I am finding lightning strike 'repairs' that are not DOCUMENTED IN THE [damage history].  I am finding a sign off in the logbook stating 'everything' has been taken care of in the beginning of the month with a lightning strike; but again nothing to say where this damage was repaired. So now I'm looking at a plane that has been hit again with lightning and I'm seeing damage around inlets; belly with holes blown out next to rivets; elevator with burnt edges and holes next to rivets; aileron on the left with a trailing edge burnt as well. I find a hole in the side of the plane that has 'fresh Paint'; wiped the area off and you can see sanding marks with several coats of paint in different directions with the company [color]. This as well is UNDOCUMENTED MAINTENANCE PREFORMED; the fibers from the composite can be seen hanging out of the hole with an attempt to 'hide' the damage; then the question is what about the inspection to check the damage that is caused with a blow and dis-bonding inside of the damaged area and clearly NOTHING was done. So a hit into a pressurized area and ZERO repair or documentation to verify there isn't further damage or that the side of the plane will blow out in that area.  While seeing this damage I had composite panels that did not have paint on them and direct exposed composite without any protection but I had damage being 'hidden' with paint. I had control surfaces with lightning damage; fuselage damage with burn holes and a hit in the side of the plane 'painted over' to hide it. I was approached by the pilot and was asked if I had any issues while I was upstairs looking through the logbook to find documentation and also the [damage history] with nothing written. I told him some of the problems and was asked to show him. After he made it a BIG point that 'he was TOLD they could get on the plane by management.' So I decided I; as a professional courtesy; I was then asked 'when I found this; it didn't look bad; it could be just wiped off' and 'could hardly see it if it was wiped off' and 'the hole didn't look bad that was punched into the side of the plane'; I also shown him and the FO (First Officer) which came with the damage of the elevator and aileron as well with statements of that it doesn't look like anything. Then the best was a pilot could feel it if lightning HAD hit the plane.'  All followed by 'what am I going to do about this stuff' This after a belittlement of my findings as if a need to justify to have a need to write the items up. This plane had been inspected and items had been covered up with paint and other damage 'missed' and this was by maintenance personnel because the paint used to try and cover the hole in the side of the plane matched the plane exterior color.Clearly this was seen and was [an] attempt to cover up the problems; [damage history] was not entered with the damage; missing paint and again nothing was painted but the hole in the side of the plane was painted over.




Synopsis: Technician reported that during an ETOPS Pre-Departure check; it was discovered that aircraft had been struck by lightning and repairs were not accomplished correctly or recorded as required in the damage history.