Narrative:

September 2012. I discovered both support rods damaged from impact damage on aircraft X; a B767-300 aircraft. Here at ZZZ; we only had one rod in stock. This damage is caused by bulging containers in the forward cargo compartment that extend beyond the floor stops. There is nothing to protect the structure in the recirculation compartment other than a feeble curtain. Almost all the 767-300s I've encountered had this condition. In fact; in the latest episode; management didn't want to rob the support rod from another airplane because they knew the odds were great that it too would be deformed. Instead; management directed us to call for a line maintenance engineering authorization [for deferral].we only stock six support rods in the [parts] system for our fleet of B767-300 airplanes; [that] we know are prone to this damage. There is no deferral for damage [to the rods] other than the minuscule limits of maintenance manual (M/M) 21-25-05-6. It's often left to the whim of the specific engineer on the phone whether he'll grant dispensation. There is no continuity in deferring or preventive maintenance on the support rods. [Our] air carrier refuses to acknowledge that these support rods are problematic. Therefore; the extent of damage throughout the B767-300 fleet is unknown. In a previous communication; engineering noted; 'our position is that neither an inspection program; nor redesign of the installation is warranted.' yet; local management at ZZZ is fully aware of the trend regarding these rods and instructed me not to attempt to rob [cannibalize] the part from another B767-300 aircraft. Fortunately; up to this point I have only found damage to the rods. However; bulging containers could easily inflict damage to other components in the recirc compartment. Even the captain on this B767-300 couldn't believe the bulging containers were being ignored. A barrier is required between the forward cargo and recirc compartment. Till then; the company should increase its inventory of support rods.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Line Mechanic questions whether cargo pit loading procedures include verification by cargo loaders that intrusion into the forward pit; aft equipment bay neoprene curtain area has not occurred on B767-300 aircraft. He continues to find damaged support rods for the recirculation filter box assemblies behind the neoprene curtains.

Narrative: September 2012. I discovered both support rods damaged from impact damage on Aircraft X; a B767-300 aircraft. Here at ZZZ; we only had one rod in stock. This damage is caused by bulging containers in the forward cargo compartment that extend beyond the floor stops. There is nothing to protect the structure in the recirculation compartment other than a feeble curtain. Almost all the 767-300s I've encountered had this condition. In fact; in the latest episode; Management didn't want to rob the support rod from another airplane because they knew the odds were great that it too would be deformed. Instead; Management directed us to call for a Line Maintenance Engineering Authorization [for deferral].We only stock six support rods in the [parts] system for our fleet of B767-300 airplanes; [that] we know are prone to this damage. There is no deferral for damage [to the rods] other than the minuscule limits of Maintenance Manual (M/M) 21-25-05-6. It's often left to the whim of the specific Engineer on the phone whether he'll grant dispensation. There is no continuity in deferring or preventive maintenance on the support rods. [Our] air carrier refuses to acknowledge that these support rods are problematic. Therefore; the extent of damage throughout the B767-300 fleet is unknown. In a previous communication; Engineering noted; 'our position is that neither an Inspection Program; nor redesign of the installation is warranted.' Yet; local Management at ZZZ is fully aware of the trend regarding these rods and instructed me not to attempt to rob [cannibalize] the part from another B767-300 aircraft. Fortunately; up to this point I have only found damage to the rods. However; bulging containers could easily inflict damage to other components in the recirc compartment. Even the Captain on this B767-300 couldn't believe the bulging containers were being ignored. A barrier is required between the forward cargo and recirc compartment. Till then; the company should increase its inventory of support rods.

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.