Date: 201605
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Night
Aircraft: MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
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
Human factors: Workload; Time Pressure
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Maintenance
When detected: Routine Inspection
Result: General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Procedure; Staffing; Equipment / Tooling
Primary problem: Staffing

Narrative: I am writing this letter in regards to maintenance that was performed on two different aircraft; both MD80 aircraft; on two different nights. I; along with one other employee; was tasked to perform an 'A' Check on both aircraft. My shift begins at XA:00 at night.On the first night my assignment was handed out just after XA:00; and there was a meeting that was scheduled that I attended before starting the assignment for the night. It was approximately 20 minutes for the meeting before I started to gather paperwork and tooling that is required for the 'A' check on the aircraft. By the time I actually started working on the check was around XB:00 or just after. By the time I was done with exterior checks and the cargo checks that are performed in accordance with the paperwork for the A-Check; it was approximately XD:15. I had numerous write ups that I had reported to my Crew Chief; put into the log book; and put into our program that we are required to do by Management.After all the reports and entries were made; I had reduced my lunch time to XD:45 to XE:30; just because of the fact I knew our check was started late and due to a lack of maintenance vehicles to utilize. I had not even begun the work that was required for the engines or interior.By the time I got back out to the plane ready to work it was about XE:45. I had begun by trying to find stands to use that had hand guard rails for safety. Half of the stands that we have do not have guard rails which make it dangerous for the mechanics to use. The work and inspections that are required for the engines is not a simple or fast task. Another mechanic and I had worked on both of the engines together as far as opening and closing the cowls due to safety reasons.During the middle of the inspections is when the supervisor working came out at approximately XF:15 in the morning. He was there for the remainder of the check which had made me feel very uncomfortable; asking constantly for updated completion times. By the time the inspection; tasks; cleaning; making sure the cowls were secured safely and correctly; and all equipment moved out of the way; it was XG:15 in the morning. I believe the plane was due to fly out at XH:40.We had not even started on the interior checks that were due in the cabin; aft bay; or flight deck items.By this time I had a lot of paperwork that was due for the tasks that I had performed. I had equipment that had to be returned to stores that were checked out. I had tools that needed to be cleaned up. The supervisor remained in the office watching us stamp off paperwork and was surprised to hear that the check was not done yet and was going to be turned over to first shift.By that time we were told to finish the check in a threatening way. We went out to the plane to finish the check around XH:00 or a little after; finding the plane was completely boarded with passengers. We had to wait for the plane to de-board before we could start any interior checks. It was XH:30 before we started interior checks.When we started the interior checks I was constantly asked for updates again by the supervisor and another day manager who decided to come out and stare at us the whole time also when we were trying to finish. The check still did not get completed by us and a small portion of the check was turned over to day shift. I ended clocking out after XJ:00 in the morning.The next night I was assigned another 'A' Check again with one other employee. The assignments were passed out around XA:30. We did not get out to the aircraft to work on it until after XB:00 due to gathering all the paperwork; tooling and supplies for the check and no vehicles. This time the same supervisor was out on the plane for the almost the whole check. I again felt pressured and found it hard to concentrate on my work with this person watching me through this check.I am writing this letter per the ASAP program because I feel that my work was performed under pressure; and I was given an unrealistic time frame to complete these A-Checks with only one other employee in an 8 hour shift; and that time is reduced of actual hands on work because of gathering equipment; vehicles; required lunch break and the required paperwork documentation.There was shortage of man power provided to do the job by management. This led to unrealistic expectations to meet schedule.




Synopsis: Maintenance personnel could not complete an 'A' check on an MD80 in the time allotted. Staffing issued were cited as contributing factors.