Narrative:

Aircraft had a write up for generator drive light inoperative. Mechanics were working the item. Mechanic was asked to tail watch. I became involved as a fifth mechanic simply by being interested in what was happening. After performing engine run to check light and process the MEL that was going to be applied; engine cowls had to be opened to reset the generator. This is the point that I was around the engine. As there were several mechanics involved prior to my arrival; I did not take charge planeside.while closing up; [a] mechanic noticed an mcd (magnetic chip detector) laying on the inboard fan cowl. A discussion started about what to do next and several folks (not sure who) looked at all exposed areas for a missing mcd. I decided to take the part inside to try and cross the number on it. No [mcd] number was crossing. I also asked several other mechanics if they had seen this type of mcd plug. The ones that I asked said it was not a pratt part. Several of us also tried to look for any signed off log pages for recently signed engine work and found none. I then did an archive search and found [another station] had done an mcd check [several weeks prior]. After several minutes of back and forth discussion and having found no leaks or evidence of missing mcds; the decision was made to close it up and release the aircraft.however; after departure and several hours later I decided on my own to notify [maintenance control] that we may have a missing mcd after I actually printed the [electronic task] card signed at [the other station] and looked at the referenced figures. I asked if he would please enter an item to check it after it got to [the other station]. I made this decision after finally seeing that the part would cross [maintenance] if only a section of the number was used and the blue top plug is an optional part according to the amm. Also; after looking at the [electronic task] card and referenced diagrams; made me rethink that perhaps one was missed after it was found in the cowl and may not be installed.[the electronic task card] and amm do not match up exactly when dealing with a blue cap mcd. Also; part number crossing was not happening until the end of the part number was entered by itself.edit [the electronic task] card that was used for the original work since the [electronic task] card only talks about alignment marks and not these odd; blue-capped no alignment mark mcds. Create a possible [maintenance] bulletin about finding uninstalled parts on aircraft that cannot be identified. As for my own personal lesson learned; be more assertive even if this is not my plane when seeing a possible quality escape. Call the lead; foreman; etc.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Maintenance Technician reported that a Magnetic Chip Detector (MCD) was found on the engine fan cowl.

Narrative: Aircraft had a write up for generator drive light inoperative. Mechanics were working the item. Mechanic was asked to tail watch. I became involved as a fifth mechanic simply by being interested in what was happening. After performing engine run to check light and process the MEL that was going to be applied; engine cowls had to be opened to reset the generator. This is the point that I was around the engine. As there were several mechanics involved prior to my arrival; I did not take charge planeside.While closing up; [a] mechanic noticed an MCD (Magnetic Chip Detector) laying on the inboard fan cowl. A discussion started about what to do next and several folks (not sure who) looked at all exposed areas for a missing MCD. I decided to take the part inside to try and cross the number on it. No [MCD] number was crossing. I also asked several other mechanics if they had seen this type of MCD plug. The ones that I asked said it was not a Pratt part. Several of us also tried to look for any signed off log pages for recently signed engine work and found none. I then did an archive search and found [another station] had done an MCD check [several weeks prior]. After several minutes of back and forth discussion and having found no leaks or evidence of missing MCDs; the decision was made to close it up and release the aircraft.However; after departure and several hours later I decided on my own to notify [Maintenance Control] that we may have a missing MCD after I actually printed the [electronic task] card signed at [the other station] and looked at the referenced figures. I asked if he would please enter an item to check it after it got to [the other station]. I made this decision after finally seeing that the part would cross [Maintenance] if only a section of the number was used and the blue top plug is an optional part according to the AMM. Also; after looking at the [electronic task] card and referenced diagrams; made me rethink that perhaps one was missed after it was found in the cowl and may not be installed.[The electronic task card] and AMM do NOT match up exactly when dealing with a blue cap MCD. Also; part number crossing was not happening until the end of the part number was entered by itself.Edit [the electronic task] card that was used for the original work since the [electronic task] card only talks about alignment marks and not these odd; blue-capped no alignment mark MCDs. Create a possible [maintenance] bulletin about finding uninstalled parts on aircraft that cannot be identified. As for my own personal lesson learned; be more assertive even if this is not my plane when seeing a possible quality escape. Call the Lead; foreman; etc.

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.