Date: 201910
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Fuselage Nose Cone
Component problem: Improperly Operated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Technician
Reporter qualification: Maintenance Powerplant; Maintenance Airframe
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Workload
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Maintenance
When detected: Aircraft In Service At Gate; Pre-flight
Result: General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure; Staffing; Aircraft
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: I had accomplished the T check walk around inside bay 11. The [next] morning; I was assigned the ETOPS pre departure check; [supervisor] and the FAA were present to witness the work performed. [Supervisor] had pointed out a possible strike on the aircraft just behind the radome and had instructed me to write up the strike. I wrote up the strike as instructed too and held boarding. After I had cleaned the area and preformed the general visual inspection; I had noted that the strike was insignificant and no damage noted; and returned the plane into service. I did not see evidence of it being a bird strike. The [next morning]; I was told by [Supervisor]; that the possible strike should have automatically called for the bird strike inspection.It was close boarding time when I was instructed by [Supervisor] to write up the area of question. I was under stress of the FAA inspector and [Supervisor] with also making the call of hold boarding and doing the inspection. I was trying to keep [trip] a live flight. The bird strike work card expresses that if it is a pilot report the card should be done; and makes no mention of it being a mechanic report. Seeing as I was trying not to cancel or delay a live flight; and no evidence of it being a bird; I thought I was in right to sign it off as per a general visual inspection. I would also like to note that there was no crew chief nor supervisor present to help me with the call of the work performed; or to cancel or delay or keep a flight.I would like to find a more definitive explanation of when a work card is called up and when it is not. If it was a definite bird strike I would have happily have pulled up the work card and done the inspection. I cannot find an area in the Procedures Manual explaining if something is suspected and not verified that the work card has to be done. I should have completely have stopped all boarding and not given under the stress of keeping [trip] on time. I do feel that under the stress of the live flight; and not knowing if I should have cancelled or delay the flight due to the suggestion of my compliance officer telling me that it should be written up. I also should have clarified better that the area in question was not a bird strike. Again; I would like to learn more about when something is a definite.




Synopsis: Technician reported that a bird strike inspection was not accomplished as required by ETOPS prior to aircraft departure and caused a flight delay.