[Kent Dellenbusch]

Kent Dellenbusch on February 4, 2021 at 6:41 pm #20492

Thanks Martin for sharing your story. I’m sure we can all learn from others mistakes.

[Martin Grechan]

Martin Grechan on February 4, 2021 at 6:25 pm #20491

Many years ago a left a couple of wrenches in a Bell 206 Jet Ranger when I was adjusting the swashplate friction. What made the matter worse was that they were wrenches that I borrowed from a fellow mechanic (which had his initials etched in them). They went un- noticed for a while as they managed to creep out-of-site underneath the main rotor transmission and my buddy had forgotten all about lending them to me When they were finally discovered it was my mate that was hauled into the maintenance office to have a “new one ” reamed out and since it was a while ago he was unsure that he was not the guilty party since we both worked on each others machines. It was only when he told me of what happened days later that I realized that the culprit was me. I had to set the record straight with everybody including the pilot who noticed the wrenches laying there during his diligent pre-flight check. I apologized to everyone and vowed that this would never happen to me again. Today I preach to all of my subordinates to do a proper tool inventory before leaving the job site and my tools are meticulously arranged in my box so as I can see at a glance if anything is missing.

[Kent Dellenbusch]

Kent Dellenbusch on January 10, 2021 at 2:22 pm #20454

Too funny.
Some of these items found have good value to them. Bucking bars is at the top of the list along with screwdrivers. bucking bars are not lightweight tools. Truly amazing.

[STEVE]

STEVE on January 10, 2021 at 2:15 pm #20453

I am still using a nice pair of dykes (diagonal cutting pliers) that I’m still using. And a pair of slightly deformed sun glasses found on top of an engine.
I have found a bucking bar inside a Cessna wings.
That’s all I can remember right now.
S

[Kent Dellenbusch]

Kent Dellenbusch on January 9, 2021 at 4:59 am #20452

Have you ever found a left-behind tool or other foreign objects when disassembling your aircraft for maintenance?
No – 35.42%
Yes – 64.58%

-A magnetic led light on an engine mount.
-Screw driver
-Flashlight. Bucking bar
-Found a tuna can on top of the engine – used by the maintenance team to hold small parts/screws. Saw it during pre-flight as -I checked under the cowling for wasps nest/birds, etc
-Twice, 1)Screw driver left in the cuff off the leading right wing ,been in there probably for several years 5 to 8 2) Screwdriver -left right aft tail cone probably thee r for 15 years or more
-screwdriver bit under back set cover
-wooden handle hand broom in tail
-Flashlight one time laying between two rear cylinders not visible from the oil door or from front opening of cowl. Also another flashlight this one plastic inside wing. So two flashlights on two separate occasions. I also found a large nut laying between two cylinders. The nut was much to large for any airplane I would ever fly or own so it must have been placed there as a prank or practical joke.
-Found a really nice snap punch in the tail cone on our first inspection after acquiring the plane. Apparently, it was left there when some sheet metal work was performed several years earlier.
The first shop I ever used. They weren’t very good, but at least you always got free tools. The plane we bought a couple of years ago came with free tools under the floor.