Originally Posted by
TURIN
This is why one should always make a log entry BEFORE fitting landing gear lock pins or pitot covers etc. It is standard practice.
I don't disagree. In this case Malaysia Airlines didn't require a tech log entry for the fitment of pitot covers at all. Page 51 of the report states:
The Malaysia Airlines technical handling manual did not require a technical log entry to record the fitment of pitot probe covers, but engineers were able to do so. When interviewed, AMSA managers stated that they expected a maintenance log entry would be made by an appropriately approved person for the fitment of pitot probe covers.
According to the report, interim measures were in place for the provision of engineering services, because Malaysia Airlines had only recently recommenced operations into Brisbane. AMSA engineers did not have Malaysian CAA approval and could not make tech log entries:
Furthermore, the support engineer was not permitted to enter the details of the fitment of pitot probe covers into the aircraft’s technical log and did not press the issue after seeing that the LAE did not do so. The support engineer may not have seen it as a sign that the LAE did not hear the support engineer’s statement.
One of the safety actions undertaken by Malaysia Airlines following the incident was to update its technical handling manual to require a tech log entry to record the fitment of pitot probe covers (see p.126).
There were many 'holes in the Swiss cheese' that led to this incident; it seems to me that lack of coordination/communication between the two engineers was one of them.