Narrative:

A PIREP was generated for a leaking strut. The mechanic that was dispatched to the aircraft asked for a second opinion. I was sent to assist him when I became aware that a supervisor was intimidating him and instructing him to clean and service the strut quickly so as not to keep the airplane in the out of service area. This supervisor had also intimidated the lead mechanic as well. The supervisor proceeded to argue with me when I stated to him the strut was unserviceable and the strut needed to be re-packed or replaced. He further proceeded to comment on the poor verbiage the captain used in his PIREP. When I offered to talk to the pilot in conference along with him; he became angry when I informed him that I would accept his PIREP as a valid one. Excessive amount of fluid on the strut that required more than just a wipe down and service. I informed quality control department at the hangar that the aircraft was taxiing over to them. I told quality control that the supervisor was still pressuring the taxi crew to re-inspect the strut once it got to the hangar and possibly still sign off on the aircraft. Once the aircraft arrived at the hangar; the taxi crew observed visible fluid/leakage and the strut was replaced. Extreme pressure from level 3 management on down to keep aircraft out of the out of service area. Management needs to realize the human factor and the safety is much more important than on-time departure. Callback conversation with reporter revealed the following information: reporter stated the supervisor he referenced in his report; has been very difficult to work with; or to be around. He creates a stressful environment for just about everyone.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Mechanic reports about their Maintenance Supervisor's intimidating behavior towards himself; his Lead Mechanic and another Mechanic; while trying to get them to sign off a leaking and unserviceable gear strut on an EMB-135KL (ERJ-140LR). Flight canceled.

Narrative: A PIREP was generated for a leaking strut. The Mechanic that was dispatched to the aircraft asked for a second opinion. I was sent to assist him when I became aware that a Supervisor was intimidating him and instructing him to clean and service the strut quickly so as not to keep the airplane in the out of service area. This Supervisor had also intimidated the Lead Mechanic as well. The Supervisor proceeded to argue with me when I stated to him the strut was unserviceable and the strut needed to be re-packed or replaced. He further proceeded to comment on the poor verbiage the Captain used in his PIREP. When I offered to talk to the pilot in conference along with him; he became angry when I informed him that I would accept his PIREP as a valid one. Excessive amount of fluid on the strut that required more than just a wipe down and service. I informed quality control Department at the hangar that the aircraft was taxiing over to them. I told quality control that the Supervisor was still pressuring the taxi crew to re-inspect the strut once it got to the hangar and possibly still sign off on the aircraft. Once the aircraft arrived at the hangar; the taxi crew observed visible fluid/leakage and the strut was replaced. Extreme pressure from level 3 management on down to keep aircraft out of the out of service area. Management needs to realize the human factor and the safety is much more important than on-time departure. Callback conversation with reporter revealed the following information: Reporter stated the Supervisor he referenced in his report; has been very difficult to work with; or to be around. He creates a stressful environment for just about everyone.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.