Narrative:

Aircraft was damaged while sitting on the ramp outside hangar. I was in right seat checking a EFIS control panel operation when the lead mechanic; (I'm avionics); came on board with a lead specialist. What test was being conducted; was unknown to me. Lead mechanic in left seat did a start on both engines and pressurized hydraulics. At this point he directed me to place the gear lever in the 'up' position. Knowing the kind of damage that could occur; I stopped at the gear handle 'mid' position and asked him if he was sure; if the pins were installed in the gear. He hesitated and I returned the handle to the 'down and locked position.' he leaned out the captain's window and communicated with the ground person through hand signs to confirm that the pins were installed. I was informed by the lead mechanic and the lead specialist; that the pins were installed and it was safe to move the handle to the 'up' position. At this point I did as requested and the nose gear of the aircraft collapsed. The lead mechanic's comment was that the pins were 'not properly installed.' no one in the cockpit was able to exit the aircraft and check the pins before incident occurred; as the doors were all closed and steps pulled away never run engines; or operate parts of the aircraft; without establishing positive communications by patch cord through the interphone system. If noise levels allow; radios may be substituted. Hand signals should be used only as a last resort and then only established signals used. Unclear or ambiguous instructions should be cause to cease activities until all parties are clear on what is to occur. Clear communication not established between cockpit and ground.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Two Lead Mechanics and one Avionics's Mechanic Technician report on their involvement with an Operational Check of a B767-300 Hydraulic Motor Generator (HMG). Procedure requires both engines to be running at flight idle and then moving the gear handle to the 'up' position. Nose Gear collapsed; causing serious fuselage damage. Nose Landing Gear pin not installed.

Narrative: Aircraft was damaged while sitting on the ramp outside hangar. I was in right seat checking a EFIS Control Panel operation when the Lead Mechanic; (I'm avionics); came on board with a Lead Specialist. What test was being conducted; was unknown to me. Lead Mechanic in left seat did a start on both engines and pressurized hydraulics. At this point he directed me to place the gear lever in the 'up' position. Knowing the kind of damage that could occur; I stopped at the gear handle 'mid' position and asked him if he was sure; if the pins were installed in the gear. He hesitated and I returned the handle to the 'down and locked position.' He leaned out the Captain's window and communicated with the ground person through hand signs to confirm that the pins were installed. I was informed by the Lead Mechanic and the Lead Specialist; that the pins were installed and it was safe to move the handle to the 'up' position. At this point I did as requested and the Nose Gear of the aircraft collapsed. The Lead Mechanic's comment was that the pins were 'not properly installed.' No one in the cockpit was able to exit the aircraft and check the pins before incident occurred; as the doors were all closed and steps pulled away Never run engines; or operate parts of the aircraft; without establishing positive communications by patch cord through the interphone system. If noise levels allow; radios may be substituted. Hand signals should be used only as a last resort and then only established signals used. Unclear or ambiguous instructions should be cause to cease activities until all parties are clear on what is to occur. Clear communication not established between cockpit and ground.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.