While trying to avoid a departure delay because he could not find any available ladders in the gate ...

Attributes
ACN	1000806
Time
Date	201203
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Dawn
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-800
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Parked
Component
Aircraft Component	Cowling
Person 1
Function	Technician
Qualification	Maintenance Airframe Maintenance Powerplant
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle

Narrative:

[I] received gate call about a possible fastener being loose on a B737-800 aircraft at the left engine inboard pylon. I searched all gate areas for a ladder to use; but could not find a suitable one. There was a belt loader [vehicle] nearby; and in thinking I could avoid a delay searching further for a ladder I opted to use it. In my hurry to get to the fastener and to avoid a delay; I accidentally hit the nose cowl with the corner of the loader. Lighting was poor in the area; and I was nearing the end of my graveyard shift and work week. Suggest don't use improper equipment for job; and don't worry about delays.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: While trying to avoid a departure delay because he could not find any available ladders in the gate area to reach a loose fastener on a B737-800 aircraft; a Line Mechanic decides to use a Belt Loader vehicle and accidentally strikes the engine nose cowl.

Narrative: [I] received gate call about a possible fastener being loose on a B737-800 aircraft at the left engine inboard pylon. I searched all gate areas for a ladder to use; but could not find a suitable one. There was a Belt Loader [vehicle] nearby; and in thinking I could avoid a delay searching further for a ladder I opted to use it. In my hurry to get to the fastener and to avoid a delay; I accidentally hit the nose cowl with the corner of the loader. Lighting was poor in the area; and I was nearing the end of my Graveyard shift and work week. Suggest don't use improper equipment for job; and don't worry about delays.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

While trying to avoid a departure delay because he could not find any available ladders in the gate area to reach a loose fastener on a B737-800 aircraft; a line mechanic decides to use a belt loader vehicle and accidentally strikes the engine nose cowl.