Date: 201205
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Other / Unknown
Reporter qualification: Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Human factors: Confusion; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Technician
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Maintenance
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: MEL; Procedure; Logbook Entry; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part; Human Factors; Chart Or Publication; Aircraft
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Inbound call from flight crew. Fuel Panel Door Bonding Jumper broken; called Maintenance out. Maintenance arrived at plane and reported that both [electrical] Bonding Jumpers were broken. Per the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM); the jumpers were a TYPE-1 Jumper and at least one jumper had to be installed to place the other one on the Deferred Maintenance Item (DMI). [I] told Maintenance to replace the jumpers. Ordered Jumpers from Stores and had them delivered. Maintenance replaced both jumpers and called up to Maintenance Control. They asked about placing [the application of] Sealant on the DMI. [I] looked through AMM reference Chapter 20-13-21; to see if sealant was even required; or had any time limits for it being missing. Reading through the AMM and discussing the requirements; we determined that sealant was not required and there were no DMI limitations listed. Maintenance then asked if it required Blue NiCoating. Looking through the AMM installation procedure; the Blue NiCoating procedure was only required if the parts didn't have a finish on them. The reference gives an example; but doesn't specify if it is; or was an example of; or not an example of; a part with a finish. So after discussing with Maintenance and reading the reference to him; we determined that nothing else was required for the installation of the jumpers. Mechanic then reported that he was going to void out the entry in the Logbook 'bonding jumpers require sealant.' Suggest following the AMM procedure and knowing what materials are being used; to be able to categorized the conditions properly. [Recognized improper dispatch] after further review of AMM reference; after plane left ZZZ.


Second narrative: I was called to replaced two [electrical] Bonding Straps [Jumpers] on the Refueling Control Panel using references from the EMB-175 Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) 20-13-21 (Electrical Bonding- Standard Procedures) and AMM 28-23-01 (Re-Fueling Control Panel- Removal/Installation). I asked the Maintenance Controller if we could [apply] a deferral; a Deferred Maintenance Item (DMI) for the Sealant step of the Maintenance procedure [noted in] (AMM 20-12-21; Step 'C'; due to the fact that I do not have any sealant at the Line Office; he's response was 'it is not necessary to seal the straps'. I asked again if he was absolutely positive there was no need for sealant and he assure me of it. [Identified mistake] by reading the entire 73-pages that deal with 'electrical bonding protection'; after the plane was released for flight. The lack of necessary materials to our disposal; my confidence on thinking 'sure Maintenance Control knows more about the manuals that I do'. My Station Manager encouraged me to fill out a report. Suggest when a problem has been identified; Maintenance Control could be useful by providing direction and assistance; I do realize we are running against the clock to dispatch the plane; but a bit of help on their side could go a long way.


Synopsis: A Line Mechanic and Maintenance Controller report about their involvement with releasing an ERJ-175 aircraft and not accomplishing; or deferring; a sealant application procedure for new electrical bonding straps (jumpers) installed at the refueling control panel.