Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Airbus A380 Flew for 300 Hours With Meter-Long Tool Left Inside Engine
The Register ^ | Fri 15 Nov 2024 | Laura Dobberstein

Posted on 11/15/2024 2:43:33 PM PST by nickcarraway

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-60 next last
To: Larry Lucido

Don’t get me started where 10mm sockets end up.


21 posted on 11/15/2024 3:38:52 PM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: BluH2o
A few years back I had my Range Rover serviced. Two or three weeks later I popped the hood and found a large wrench like device in a cavity near the window wash fluid container.

The same thing happened to me when I had my Bentley serviced.;-)

22 posted on 11/15/2024 3:40:11 PM PST by RoosterRedux (Emerson paraphrased, "If you strike at the king, don't fail." They failed. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

I have found that bulldozers are notorious for swallowing tools into their belly pans such tools never to be seen again.


23 posted on 11/15/2024 3:41:18 PM PST by Recompennation (Don’t blame me my vote didn’t count)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EnderWiggin1970

I have been in aviation going on 25 years now. The worst case I saw was someone left a pile of rags in the wing fuel tank that both the mechanic (A&P) and QA inspector BOTH signed off and used their stamps from the FAA to say the inspection had taken place.


24 posted on 11/15/2024 3:42:18 PM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

And on the best flight possible to lose an engine halfway: Sydney <—> LA. At least 10 hours over the Pacific.


25 posted on 11/15/2024 3:44:45 PM PST by mikey_hates_everything
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

They bought their tickets.
They knew what they were getting in to.
I say, let-um crash!


26 posted on 11/15/2024 3:45:07 PM PST by Clay Moore (My pistol identifies as a cordless hole punch. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido

Or, under the center of the vehicle; or, in the center of the intersection where the tool fell out during a turn.


27 posted on 11/15/2024 3:45:14 PM PST by linMcHlp
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

They do way a way better job at Uncle Ed’s oil change.


28 posted on 11/15/2024 3:50:45 PM PST by WeaslesRippedMyFlesh (I have zero tolerance and zero empathy for the left)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WeaslesRippedMyFlesh

Someone has to do it:

List of pilot-reported problems and the solutions the ground crew had for them.

Problem: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
Solution: Left inside main tire almost replaced.

Problem: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
Solution: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

Problem: Something loose in cockpit.
Solution: Something tightened in cockpit.

Problem: Dead bugs on windshield.
Solution: Live bugs on back-order.

Problem: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute Descent.
Solution: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

Problem: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
Solution: Evidence removed.

Problem: DME volume unbelievably loud.
Solution: DME volume set to more believable level.

Problem: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
Solution: That’s what friction locks are for.

Problem: Suspected crack in windshield.
Solution: Suspect you’re right.

Problem: Number 3 engine missing. (pilot lingo meaning one of the engines was not running smoothly)
Solution: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

Problem: Aircraft handles funny
Solution: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

Problem: Target radar hums.
Solution: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

Problem: Mouse in cockpit.
Solution: Cat installed.

Problem: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
Solution: Took hammer away from midget.


29 posted on 11/15/2024 4:02:46 PM PST by Thank You Rush
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Thank You Rush

It’s a Zelensky. Don’t water it.


30 posted on 11/15/2024 4:04:51 PM PST by Kudsman (Hey,, Democrat,,leave them kids alone!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Organic Panic

“Don’t get me started where 10mm sockets end up.”

And for me I seem to have an inexhaustible supply of 11mm sockets, although I don’t think I’ve used one a single time.


31 posted on 11/15/2024 4:13:13 PM PST by steve86 (Numquam accusatus, numquam ad curiam ibit, numquam ad carcerem™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Yikes - why was that aircraft not Red X’d?

Don’t they use tool cutouts and chits for tools taken out of toolboxes and the master toolkits?

And then check for tool accountability at the end of the worksheet?

Good grief.


32 posted on 11/15/2024 4:16:57 PM PST by Fury
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

I belong to the 10 millimeter socket of the month club


33 posted on 11/15/2024 4:18:27 PM PST by al baby (I know sarcasm )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: redfreedom

Re: 19 - yes.

Nice post.


34 posted on 11/15/2024 4:18:43 PM PST by Fury
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: EnderWiggin1970
There was a relief valve that kept lifting on a sample rack in a power plant. It kept lifting, removed, calibrated, replaced, lifting. After a year of this the right mechanic got on the job and said. Maybe it's just doing it's job..

he installed a pressure gauge on the pipe and found out the line pressure regulating valve was passing too much pressure. Why? Because the installed PRESSURE GAUGE was stuck!!!!!

The valve was a PITA to get to and was probably removed 3 or 4 times!! Everybody assumed the relief valve was bad because it was a common issue with this brand.

35 posted on 11/15/2024 4:20:20 PM PST by Ikeon ( Why don't they, do what they say? Say what they mean? One thing leads to another. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: libertylover

Same with the Navy. The aircraft is DOWN until all tools, parts, & supplies are accounted for. Every maintenance procedure, including tool control, is written in blood. Same with operations in any other zero defect environment.


36 posted on 11/15/2024 4:27:54 PM PST by twister881
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: libertylover
Someone signed off on the maintenance logs despite the missing wrench.

It's inexcusable. Some supervisor likely threatened them to get the plane back in service.

37 posted on 11/15/2024 4:39:58 PM PST by T.B. Yoits
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Chode

11”nobody noticed the empty space on the pegboard???”

Silly post from someone that didn’t read the article ...


38 posted on 11/15/2024 4:40:02 PM PST by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: EnderWiggin1970
Yikes! Aircraft operators have systems in place to prevent catastrophic accidents like this could have been. And in this case they had the system - and simply overrode it because it was creating a headache (presumably some software was saying in effect "DO NOT FLY THIS AIRCRAFT UNTIL YOU FIX X", and rather than find and fix the problem, somebody just thought X was a bit of red tape and canceled the alert.)

The aerospace equivalent to putting black tape over your car's 'check engine' light.

When I was in the Air Force we had a physical "chit" system of tool tracking. You were assigned a ring of 10 "chits" with your name on them (they were literally dog tag blanks) and every time you took a tool out of the tool crib you left your chit in its place.

If everybody didn't turn in all of their chits at shift's end, nobody went home until the missing tool was found. If as in this case the tool was needed by the next shift, then someone from that shift swapped their chit for yours in the tool crib so you could get your chit back and go home.

39 posted on 11/15/2024 4:43:54 PM PST by Yo-Yo (Is the /Sarc tag really necessary? Pray for President Biden: Psalm 109:8)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido

lol


40 posted on 11/15/2024 4:49:19 PM PST by dp0622 (Tried a coup, a fake tax story, tramp slander, Russia nonsense, impeachment and a virus. They lost.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-60 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson