Date: 201909
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Airport Personnel; Technician
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Maintenance
When detected: Routine Inspection
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Human Factors
Primary problem: Company Policy

Narrative: While performing my duties as a Lead Mechanic (same duties as those of a mechanic and the employee who assigns; directs and approves the work of mechanics). I was coordinating repairs and noting damage; leaks; safety issues found by sheet metal and AMTs (Aircraft Maintenance Technician) assigned to the right engine and pylon area on Aircraft X. Upon finding 3-4 items on the right engine inlet (composite damage through several layers); missing fasteners and elongated holes in the Nib Fairing Panel and left Thrust Reverser inner trailing edge. I documented the items in accordance with the General Process Manual and CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 14 Part 43 utilizing my experience as an AMT with respect for the AMTs that I was working with. I was questioned by Management; his 2nd time in a month (coming from his peers and boss) in the typical condescending terms 'Why are these things being written up?' The Aircraft X was here for repairs and there was plenty of time to correct these items. This also precluded finding them on the line or them developing into major items.As usual I was focused on a continual concern for the safety and reliability of the aircraft assigned to me and did not consider any retaliatory ramifications nor consequences of duress and harassment by Management; as has been a common; known practice. The understood norm of persistent duress; alienation and manipulation by management that everyone including this group is fully aware of must stop! Many mechanics have been humiliated; disrespected and punished for complying with requirements to document and/or properly correct known discrepancies. They were; for example; reassigned to different work areas or duties; harassed for writing anything up; always questioned 'Why?' What kind of question is that to an FAA certified AMT working on aircraft carrying our families; what kind of person asks that? 'Why' are you writing anything up; pressured to discourage 'Rogue' Mechanics who write up clearly discrepant items that they are obligated by CFR and General Process Manual to document. Do we fear for our livelihood; the FAA; Management; or ignore fear; apathy; laziness; retaliation; alienation and just do our job professionally without fear; with FAA support and if there is still such a thing; supervision that has our back when we work hard to properly maintain safe reliable aircraft without worrying about unethical duress.Current Management have been trained; accept and encourage this culture of metal-moving 'if it ain't written up; there must not be anything wrong;' 'Whatever it Takes' pressure to look the other way; reward the lazy and/or afraid and alienate the true AMT who wants to have pride in his signature and restore dignity and value of the experienced AMT. Ultimately establish punitive language via amendments to the Title 14 CFR to any employer or employee who repetitively manipulates (rewards or punishment) AMTs to not document any maintenance required and/or accomplished. Monitor and safeguard against any cultivation of an atmosphere that encourages avoiding finding and documenting discrepancies.




Synopsis: Maintenance technician reported that company culture and policy actively discouraged maintenance personnel from reporting discrepancies; resulting in a safety risk.