Narrative:

I was assigned to aircraft X to perform [deferred maintenance]. Following the work performed prior; there was some troubleshooting accomplished and the fault was still active. I proceeded with [subtask a] which states 'depower and repower fadec. Deploy and stow thrust reverser. Deploy for 40 seconds minimum and then check the cmc (central maintenance computer) to see if the fault has cleared; which I accomplished and the fault was still active. In the task it states that if the fault is still active that I should perform rigging of the synchronizing shaft. I then consulted with my supervisor to update the situation and he said 'call maintenance control' and as I was instructed; I called maintenance and spoke to [a member of maintenance control]. I explained to [maintenance control] what the situation was and he said 'just follow [subtask a checklist].' as I proceeded to follow the task of synchronizing shaft; it states that you need a gse (ground support equipment) locking pin for the locking actuator. I contacted my supervisor and I stated to him that we needed a locking pin to lock the actuator and [my supervisor] said 'we don't have the locking pin. Just lock the thrust reverser and call it a day.' I stated to him 'that I cannot clear this fault without performing the task specified;' [my supervisor] said 'we'll carry forward.'while I was on the phone with [maintenance control]; stated 'we took care of your write up and your paperwork; just come back to the office.' several minutes later I received a call from one of the mechanics [mechanic a] who stated 'hey man what are you doing? Are you still messing with the thrust reverser? Just [expletive] lock the reversers and get it over with.' I proceeded with locking the thrust reversers by installing the inhibit pin cover plates in accordance with [the maintenance manual.] once I completed with installation of the thrust reverser inhibit pin cover plates; I contacted the office and I asked [my supervisor] to verify that all my paperwork and logbook entries were inputted into the [maintenance database] and that if any of the available mechanics can start on writing into the logbook for locking out the thrust reversers and he said 'yes; you're covered.' I headed back to the office to update my supervisor that I have completed locking the thrust. Once I walked into the office and I asked [mechanics a & B] two of the mechanics in my shift who were aware that I was working on this particular (deferred maintenance item) if all of my logbook entries that I have signed have been added to the [maintenance database] so I could sign the logbook. Both [mechanics a & B] stated with a raised tone 'you're logbook entries are done.'miscommunication and misdirection between the night supervisor and maintenance crew members.miscommunication and misdirection between maintenance crew members.lack of gse tools.night supervisor being unaware of maintenance practices.maintenance crew members not paying attention.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: EMB-175 Mechanic reported attempting to fix a Deferred Maintenance Item; but lacked the necessary equipment. Supervisor said to put the aircraft back together and defer it again.

Narrative: I was assigned to Aircraft X to perform [deferred maintenance]. Following the work performed prior; there was some troubleshooting accomplished and the fault was still active. I proceeded with [Subtask A] which states 'Depower and Repower FADEC. Deploy and stow thrust reverser. Deploy for 40 seconds minimum and then check the CMC (Central Maintenance Computer) to see if the fault has cleared; which I accomplished and the fault was still active. In the task it states that if the fault is still active that I should perform rigging of the synchronizing shaft. I then consulted with my supervisor to update the situation and he said 'Call maintenance control' and as I was instructed; I called maintenance and spoke to [a member of Maintenance Control]. I explained to [Maintenance Control] what the situation was and he said 'just follow [Subtask A Checklist].' As I proceeded to follow the task of Synchronizing Shaft; it states that you need a GSE (Ground Support Equipment) locking pin for the locking actuator. I contacted my supervisor and I stated to him that we needed a locking pin to lock the actuator and [my supervisor] said 'we don't have the locking pin. Just lock the thrust reverser and call it a day.' I stated to him 'that I cannot clear this fault without performing the task specified;' [My supervisor] said 'we'll carry forward.'While I was on the phone with [Maintenance Control]; stated 'we took care of your write up and your paperwork; just come back to the office.' Several minutes later I received a call from one of the mechanics [Mechanic A] who stated 'hey man what are you doing? Are you still messing with the thrust reverser? Just [expletive] lock the reversers and get it over with.' I proceeded with locking the Thrust reversers by installing the Inhibit Pin Cover Plates in accordance with [the maintenance manual.] Once I completed with installation of the Thrust Reverser Inhibit Pin Cover Plates; I contacted the office and I asked [my supervisor] to verify that all my paperwork and logbook entries were inputted into the [Maintenance Database] and that if any of the available mechanics can start on writing into the logbook for locking out the thrust reversers and he said 'yes; you're covered.' I headed back to the office to update my supervisor that I have completed locking the thrust. Once I walked into the office and I asked [Mechanics A & B] two of the mechanics in my shift who were aware that I was working on this particular (deferred maintenance Item) if all of my logbook entries that I have signed have been added to the [Maintenance Database] so I could sign the logbook. Both [Mechanics A & B] stated with a raised tone 'You're logbook entries are done.'Miscommunication and misdirection between the night supervisor and maintenance crew members.Miscommunication and misdirection between maintenance crew members.Lack of GSE tools.Night supervisor being unaware of maintenance practices.Maintenance Crew members not paying attention.

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.