Narrative:

Recently our [maintenance] program has been scrutinized for finding problems and defects in the aircraft while performing routine maintenance. Company management has called and questioned our rationalization for finding aircraft defects; especially if it involved taking the aircraft out of service once the defect had been found. The aircraft are looked at daily to make certain that it is mission ready and safe to operate. We have been asked on numerous occasions why we looked at a particular area of the aircraft if it might end up grounding it for a defect. Just recently we were called 'uncooperative' for not modifying a critical flight control when a part that had been delivered to us did not fit. There is no approved procedure to modify this component. While we are required to perform an aircraft maintenance check regularly; it is almost certain that defects or safety related issues will be found and sometimes with other aircraft [already] out of service. It is the nature of mechanics to look into areas that are typically problem areas; paying particular attention to those that may be safety related. When management scrutinizes or comments that we should not be looking for problems; it tends to create an attitude that 'if we are going to be told we are wrong then we just won't report the issue'. Unfortunately that lack of integrity just might be the cause of an accident. I see the problem as a lack of support to the field level and too much pressure to keep the aircraft flying and to 'close one eye' when performing maintenance. This constant 'waiting to be clubbed' [environment] has caused a high degree of degradation of morale; and I fear has; and may lead to; more apathy within the mechanics ranks.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An air ambulance helicopter Mechanic describes a deteriorating work environment where Maintenance Management increasingly scrutinizes defects found by mechanics. Comments have also been made that mechanics should not be looking for problems even during regular checks. Intimidation towards mechanics and apathy within the mechanics ranks continues to grow.

Narrative: Recently our [maintenance] program has been scrutinized for finding problems and defects in the aircraft while performing routine maintenance. Company Management has called and questioned our rationalization for finding aircraft defects; especially if it involved taking the aircraft out of service once the defect had been found. The aircraft are looked at daily to make certain that it is mission ready and safe to operate. We have been asked on numerous occasions why we looked at a particular area of the aircraft if it might end up grounding it for a defect. Just recently we were called 'uncooperative' for not modifying a critical flight control when a part that had been delivered to us did not fit. There is no approved procedure to modify this component. While we are required to perform an aircraft maintenance check regularly; it is almost certain that defects or safety related issues will be found and sometimes with other aircraft [already] out of service. It is the nature of mechanics to look into areas that are typically problem areas; paying particular attention to those that may be safety related. When Management scrutinizes or comments that we should not be looking for problems; it tends to create an attitude that 'if we are going to be told we are wrong then we just won't report the issue'. Unfortunately that lack of integrity just might be the cause of an accident. I see the problem as a lack of support to the field level and too much pressure to keep the aircraft flying and to 'close one eye' when performing maintenance. This constant 'waiting to be clubbed' [environment] has caused a high degree of degradation of morale; and I fear has; and may lead to; more apathy within the mechanics ranks.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.