What should a plane captain do after a tool is reported missing and not found?

When a tool is reported missing and not found, it is essential to maintain safety and accountability in the maintenance and operation of aircraft. Flagging the Aircraft Daily Bulletin (ADB) and initiating a Maintenance Action Form (MAF) is the proper protocol in this scenario.

This action ensures that the missing tool is documented officially, which serves several critical purposes. First, it alerts other personnel to the potential hazard posed by the missing tool, preventing it from being inadvertently left in or around the aircraft. Second, it initiates a formal investigation or follow-up actions to locate the tool, ensuring that the accountability process is properly followed.

Additionally, documenting the incident helps to maintain records that can be used to analyze trends in tool management and prevent future occurrences. Other choices like completing work as scheduled or searching again for the tool may lead to unsafe operations, as they do not address the risk associated with the missing tool. Notifying the pilot to delay operations might be necessary but would not fulfill the required documentation and accountability steps inherent in the protocol.