Chapter 9 — Before takeoff, I refused to sign the order for the plane to fly

23:40: The plane lands. 00:35: Post-flight inspection completed, no external damage noted. 01:08: Heavy rain increased, the plane was pulled to a far parking location. 02:47: Ground service vehicle entered the rear cargo area. 02:49: The parking position camera is obscured by the luggage trailer. 02:52: The vehicle left the scene. 06:15: The handover record from the ground department reads "There are no abnormalities." 12:26 a.m.: Transit inspection discovered new scratches. 12:35 a.m.: I refuse to sign the pre-filled test form. 12:41 a.m.: MCC officially intervenes. 13:27: Check again and find abnormalities on the inside. 15:40: Non-destructive testing detects abnormal signals. 17:10: The structural department makes a preliminary assessment that the aircraft is not allowed to make this flight. 20:22: Reserve plane takes off. Each timeline appears on the screen. It's like each rivet is tightly screwed into the fuselage of the plane. The first person questioned was Lieu Cuong. He admitted that the ground service vehicle approached the plane. Admitted that the driver once got out of the car to check. Admitted not reporting according to proper procedures. But still insist that...

"The driver did not feel any collision."

"It rained too much that day."

"The trailer was literally thrown to the side."

"But the driver said he only saw mud."

"After cleaning it, I didn't see any dents."

Quality Safety Officer asks:

"Why did you change the time in the handover record?"

Lieu Cuong replied:

"For fear of affecting the work of securing the next flights."

"Who asked you to fix it?"

Lieu Cuong was silent for a few seconds.

"No one."

The screen switched to the other photo. The person wearing a blue raincoat was still standing next to the luggage cart. The investigator asked:

"Who is this person?"

Liao Qiang did not answer. Trieu Minh Vien sat diagonally in front of me. His shoulders stiffened slightly. The investigator enlarged the photo. A raincoat covers the face. Can't see people clearly. But on the sleeve is the insignia of the Mining Operations department. Trieu Minh Vien spoke up. In the meeting room, there were a few very soft sounds of shifting chairs. He continued:

"That evening I received a phone call from ground service, saying there were unusual signs when the car approached the plane."

"I went directly to the scene."

The investigator asked:

"Do you see the damage?"

"It was raining very heavily at that time."

"The bottom of the plane was full of mud."

"I used a flashlight to check."

"No obvious dents detected."

"Why don't you ask maintenance to check again?"

"Post-flight check completed."

"Ground service manager said there was no impact felt."

"I temporarily assess that it is not at the level to report."

"Do you have the expertise to assess the external damage to the plane?"

"So why not notify the line maintenance department?"

Trieu Minh Vien was silent for a long time. Finally, he said slowly:

"Because I'm worried..."

"If I reported it that night..."

"...parking arrangements and security for future flights will continue to be affected."

The investigator looked at him.

"So you chose not to report?"

Just one word. But as soon as it rang... Everyone in the room who was taking notes stopped writing at once. Trieu Minh Vien did not look at anyone anymore. He quietly signed his name on the wall submit. It's my turn. The questions for me were much more detailed.

"When you discovered the damage, were you under pressure to sign off for takeoff from the duty manager?"

"Did you know the flight was six hours late?"

"At the moment you discovered the scratches, could you confirm that the plane was not fit for operation?"

"Since you can't confirm, why do you still refuse to sign?"

I calmly replied:

"Because the actual condition no longer matches the post-flight inspection records."

"The damaged location is near a sensitive structural area."

"While there have been no reports of ground incidents."

"Under those circumstances..."

"I cannot sign a confirmation without the full test results."

The investigator continued to ask:

"What kind of documents did you tear up?"

"It's a photocopy of the check sheet already filled out by the manager on duty."

"In your opinion, was that action in accordance with the procedure?"

"If the process is handled correctly, what should be done?"

"Clearly state the reason for refusing to sign right on the slip, keep the original, take photos for records, and notify the person with approval authority, MCC and the Quality Safety department."

"If you encountered a similar situation again, would you do the same?"

The investigator raised his head and looked at me.

"If you could go back again... would you still refuse to sign?"

"Are you still tearing up ballots?"