Date: 201305
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Cowling
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Commercial
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Aircraft In Service At Gate
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors; Logbook Entry
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: On a May morning 2013; we operated Flight XXX from ZZZ to ZZZ1 on a CRJ-200 aircraft. During preflight checks of the Logbook; we noted that speed tape applied to the Right Engine cowling has been written up multiple times for peeling off during flight. I noted on the preflight walk-around that speed tape has been applied; but did not look like it was peeled back and was acceptable for flight. We arrived in ZZZ1 without incident. We inspected the Speed tape again and noted that the Speed tape was peeling back again. The Captain made a note in the Logbook and Maintenance was contacted. After Maintenance re-applied the tape; the aircraft was signed-off and we proceeded with our flight to ZZZ2 without incident. Upon arrival to the gate our aircraft was met by an FAA Maintenance Inspector who promptly took note that the speed tape was peeling back and pieces of tape may have been ingested by the engine. The Captain made another entry into the Logbook and contacted Maintenance. We then turned the aircraft over to the next crew. The threats involved with this event are a portion of the aircraft [was] in a state that has a history of degrading in flight. The speed tape could have caused issues with engine performance or operation including the cowl Anti-Icing System. If a temporary fix to an aircraft system is showing a consistent history of not standing up to the stresses of flight; I think that a better or more permanent fix may be required. As flight crew we can put emphasis on history of a certain discrepancy when dealing with Maintenance in the future.


Second narrative: Arrived to CRJ-200 aircraft this morning in ZZZ. When looking through the Log Can [Logbook]; I noticed multiple write-ups for speed tape around the Right Engine cowl becoming unsecured in flight. The tape was a temporary repair for erosion of the engine cowl just aft of the heated portion. My First Officer (F/O) inspected the tape and found it to still be secure from the previous repair [application]. Upon arrival in ZZZ1; I asked if he would inspect the tape again; and he found that portions were missing and no longer secure. I wrote the discrepancy in the Log Can; and reported it to Maintenance Control.  The Mechanic re-taped the area around the cowl; as well as inspected the erosion. The sign-off referred to a specific Maintenance Procedure/Engineering Order (E/O) or something; as well as a Maintenance Carry-Over (MCO). Both the FO and I were satisfied and departed normally. Upon arrival in ZZZ2; I noticed a plain clothes individual on the ramp; and then noticed he was an FAA Inspector. We continued with our post flight activities; which included dealing with getting the door open by a Ramp employee (the door assist mechanism was deferred). My F/O and I had discussed that as soon as we got the opportunity we would inspect the cowl in case we needed to write it up and expedite calling Maintenance to reduce the resulting delay. The FAA Inspector; with a look of consternation; brought the cowl to my attention. He showed me a picture; which included a piece that may have been partially ingested. I explained that this repair had been written up multiple times and signed off by Maintenance in accordance with some; theoretically; specified procedure. I told him that I had already planned on writing up the tape; and when I was made aware of the fact that tape may have been ingested; I included that in the write-up as well. After further inspection; the [FAA] Inspector noticed that the [Aircraft's] Registration Certificate had fallen slightly in its display case obscuring the signature block. I normally verify the Certificate is completely unobscured prior to flying a different ship; and this ship was no different. I checked the certificates as I usually always do; however I had not noticed the signature block being obscured. Once the discrepancy was brought to my attention; I logged it in the Maintenance Can [Log] as well. [Concerns are that] Maintenance not doing their job properly; unclear expectation of what pilots are supposed to know about maintenance procedures; multiple tasks during the first flight of the day that lead to rushing. Error [was] not noticing the [Aircraft's] Registration having been obscured. Undesired state [of aircraft]; ingesting speed tape into an engine; possible improper temporary repair; improperly displayed registrations certificate.


Synopsis: A Captain and First Officer report about multiple write-ups and Maintenance sign-offs for speed tape that required several re-applications on the Right Engine cowl of a CRJ-200 aircraft. The First Officer noted the speed tape could have been ingested causing issues with engine performance or operation; including the Cowl Anti-Icing System.