Narrative:

Mechanic helper was directed to gain access to nose landing gear (nlg) shimmy damper through the nose baggage floor to facilitate check fluid level. Helper also had removed hardware for aft nose gear door hinges uncommanded. Before work commenced on the shimmy damper; a significant skydrol leak was discovered in the aft baggage area. Mechanic on duty informed dispatch that due to the leak; flight scheduled for departure would be cancelled. Dispatcher became verbally abusive to mechanic demanding the aircraft be repaired immediately. Leak was located in the aft bay overhead; and during effecting repair of the leak; both the mechanic and helper suffered from significant exposure to skydrol [fluid]. Access to a shower in the hangar was blocked due to items being stored in the shower area; and that area being used as an office by another hangar tenant. Suffering severe skin burning pain; helper left to decontaminate at his residence. Nose baggage bay was closed up following fluid level check of shimmy damper and the plane launched; pilots returned after takeoff after hearing unusual noise from the nose gear area. Scheduled flight was then cancelled. Post flight inspection revealed nose gear doors were not secured to aft hinges. There was no damage to the aircraft. Factors include: 1) time pressures. 2) physical pain. 3) state of mind; due to verbal abuse [by dispatcher]. 4) poor communication. 5) training.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Lead Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) describes how significant exposure to himself and a Mechanic's helper from leaking Skydrol hydraulic fluid in the Aft Bay compartment of a Cessna Citation 550; along with several other factors; contributed to a later air turn back of the aircraft.

Narrative: Mechanic helper was directed to gain access to Nose Landing Gear (NLG) Shimmy Damper through the nose baggage floor to facilitate check fluid level. Helper also had removed hardware for aft nose gear door hinges uncommanded. Before work commenced on the Shimmy Damper; a significant Skydrol leak was discovered in the aft baggage area. Mechanic on Duty informed Dispatch that due to the leak; flight scheduled for departure would be cancelled. Dispatcher became verbally abusive to Mechanic demanding the aircraft be repaired immediately. Leak was located in the Aft Bay overhead; and during effecting repair of the leak; both the Mechanic and helper suffered from significant exposure to Skydrol [fluid]. Access to a shower in the hangar was blocked due to items being stored in the shower area; and that area being used as an office by another hangar tenant. Suffering severe skin burning pain; helper left to decontaminate at his residence. Nose baggage bay was closed up following fluid level check of Shimmy Damper and the plane launched; pilots returned after takeoff after hearing unusual noise from the nose gear area. Scheduled flight was then cancelled. Post flight inspection revealed nose gear doors were not secured to aft hinges. There was no damage to the aircraft. Factors include: 1) Time pressures. 2) Physical pain. 3) State of mind; due to verbal abuse [by Dispatcher]. 4) Poor communication. 5) Training.

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.