Narrative:

[The aircraft] was released from maintenance with 16 screws missing from one of the left/H wing leading edge panels (in front of the over wing fuel filler cap). These missing screws went unnoticed for a period of 31 days; during which 37 flights were conducted. A technician noticed the missing screws while working on the aircraft's brakes. I picked up [the aircraft] from another crew that flew it in. I flew this aircraft over a period of 5 days and 12 legs. During this time span; we performed 5 preflight inspections; at least 9 walk around inspections in between legs; and 5 post flight inspections at the end of each day for a total of at least 19 inspections. Also; we had overnight maintenance performed on the aircraft one night. This aircraft later overnighted at another maintenance station; and traveled through twice where we have a maintenance base. Each time I perform an inspection of the aircraft I physically touch and check the fuel panel doors; and both over wing fuel caps. The 16 screws that were apparently missing were at the upper; left wing leading edge right in front of the fuel cap. I find it hard to believe that a row of 16 consecutive screws were missing and went undetected with the amount of inspections that were performed. Twenty-five other legs were flown with approximately 10 pilots total and they performed their inspections as well. Also; maintenance personnel looked at this aircraft I would believe other maintenance was performed on this aircraft during other crewmembers trips also. I can see this being missed possibly once; but not this many times and by this many eyes looking at the aircraft. I am not saying that it did not happen; but I find it hard to believe.maintenance should be accounting for any materials being removed and ensure that no items are left behind. More attention to detail on both crewmembers and maintenance.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Several Bombardier Challenger flight crew members reported that 16 screws missing from a wing leading edge panel had not been detected during many pre and post flight inspection.

Narrative: [The aircraft] was released from maintenance with 16 screws missing from one of the L/H wing leading edge panels (in front of the over wing fuel filler cap). These missing screws went unnoticed for a period of 31 days; during which 37 flights were conducted. A technician noticed the missing screws while working on the aircraft's brakes. I picked up [the aircraft] from another crew that flew it in. I flew this aircraft over a period of 5 days and 12 legs. During this time span; we performed 5 Preflight Inspections; at least 9 Walk around Inspections in between legs; and 5 Post Flight Inspections at the end of each day for a total of at least 19 inspections. Also; we had overnight maintenance performed on the aircraft one night. This aircraft later overnighted at another maintenance station; and traveled through twice where we have a maintenance base. Each time I perform an inspection of the aircraft I physically touch and check the fuel panel doors; and both over wing fuel caps. The 16 screws that were apparently missing were at the upper; left wing leading edge right in front of the fuel cap. I find it hard to believe that a row of 16 consecutive screws were missing and went undetected with the amount of inspections that were performed. Twenty-five other legs were flown with approximately 10 pilots total and they performed their inspections as well. Also; Maintenance personnel looked at this aircraft I would believe other maintenance was performed on this aircraft during other crewmembers trips also. I can see this being missed possibly once; but not this many times and by this many eyes looking at the aircraft. I am not saying that it did not happen; but I find it hard to believe.Maintenance should be accounting for any materials being removed and ensure that no items are left behind. More attention to detail on both crewmembers and maintenance.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.