Narrative:

Myself and mechanic X (my co-worker); had been assigned to gate duties that night. We had finished one aircraft at the gate that night and had most of the crj-200s finished. We still had a crj-900 that had not been worked yet. We both agreed that he would start to work on the -900 while I changed the wheel on the -200. I had the crj-200 job card in my tool bag. I read the job card before I started. Once I began the task; I was following the steps from the job card. I worked the removal/installation with what I thought was in accordance with (in accordance with) the job card. I finished the task and finished my paperwork; all with the conclusion that I had done nothing wrong. Once I was finished with the -200; I helped my co-worker with the -900. It was just my co-worker and I assigned to the gate that night. The work packages for all aircraft we were assigned to was standard; but on the moderately heavy side. We had several unexpected write-ups; so we even had a few people come to the gate and help. This was all after I had changed the wheel on the -200.my supervisor notified me that it was a spacer that I had not installed. However; I do believe they may be wording the parts incorrectly. I remember removing and cleaning the spacer and re-installing. However; I do not recall removing and re-installing the washer between the wheel and the axle nut.when there is a task/job card that I have accomplished several times in the past; I still briefly read through to touch up. Once I begin the task; I will read two or three steps at a time. Once I've accomplished them I sign on the several steps I finished. I repeat this; reading several steps; finishing them; and signing them off. That week had been a particularly exhausting one for me. At the time of the wheel change; I was feeling physically worn; but not mentally. As previously mentioned I had been following the job card; reading a few steps at a time and finishing them. When it came to the step with removing the washer from the old tire; I had read the step on the job card for removing the axle nut and washer. It is easier to remove the wheel from the axle; than to remove the washer from the wheel. I removed the wheel and decided to put it in the back of the pick-up while I was at it. At that time I had forgot the grease in the (maintenance) shack; so I stopped and walked to go retrieve it. When I returned I knew the wheel was off; so I signed the several steps I hadn't signed yet; to that point. Likewise when I came to the step for installing the washer; I had no perception that I had not installed it. I thought when I took the wheel off; I had installed it on the new wheel. I do not wish to give a list of excuses for my lack of awareness; but that night I was particularly fatigued. While I knew I was (fatigued); that should have been more reason to be more attentive to what I was working on. While following the job card like I should have been; I did not double check my work like I should have. If I had; I would have discovered my fault and fixed it immediately. Another station removed the wheel and corrected the problem.again; I do not wish to make excuses for my actions; however; whether you remove the washer before or after the wheel has been removed from the axle; I believe the step should be in bold on the job card; and possibly a warning as well. The washer; when on the old wheel; blends in so well due to the grease that covers that area; that it looks like a part of the wheel assembly. If possible; maybe we can even paint the washer in a contrasting color.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Line Mechanic reports he failed to reinstall a gear axle axle nut washer on a CRJ-200; with the new tire. Mechanic notes that fatigue and difficulty in recognizing the washer from all the grease on the worn wheel were contributing factors. Tire Shop found washer still attached to removed wheel.

Narrative: Myself and Mechanic X (my co-worker); had been assigned to gate duties that night. We had finished one aircraft at the gate that night and had most of the CRJ-200s finished. We still had a CRJ-900 that had not been worked yet. We both agreed that he would start to work on the -900 while I changed the wheel on the -200. I had the CRJ-200 Job Card in my tool bag. I read the Job Card before I started. Once I began the task; I was following the steps from the Job Card. I worked the Removal/Installation with what I thought was in accordance with (IAW) the Job Card. I finished the task and finished my paperwork; all with the conclusion that I had done nothing wrong. Once I was finished with the -200; I helped my co-worker with the -900. It was just my co-worker and I assigned to the gate that night. The Work Packages for all aircraft we were assigned to was standard; but on the moderately heavy side. We had several unexpected Write-ups; so we even had a few people come to the gate and help. This was all after I had changed the wheel on the -200.My Supervisor notified me that it was a spacer that I had not installed. However; I do believe they may be wording the parts incorrectly. I remember removing and cleaning the spacer and re-installing. However; I do not recall removing and re-installing the washer between the wheel and the axle nut.When there is a Task/Job Card that I have accomplished several times in the past; I still briefly read through to touch up. Once I begin the Task; I will read two or three steps at a time. Once I've accomplished them I sign on the several steps I finished. I repeat this; reading several steps; finishing them; and signing them off. That week had been a particularly exhausting one for me. At the time of the wheel change; I was feeling physically worn; but not mentally. As previously mentioned I had been following the Job Card; reading a few steps at a time and finishing them. When it came to the step with removing the washer from the old tire; I had read the step on the Job Card for removing the axle nut and washer. It is easier to remove the wheel from the axle; than to remove the washer from the wheel. I removed the wheel and decided to put it in the back of the pick-up while I was at it. At that time I had forgot the grease in the (maintenance) shack; so I stopped and walked to go retrieve it. When I returned I knew the wheel was off; so I signed the several steps I hadn't signed yet; to that point. Likewise when I came to the step for installing the washer; I had no perception that I had not installed it. I thought when I took the wheel off; I had installed it on the new wheel. I do not wish to give a list of excuses for my lack of awareness; but that night I was particularly fatigued. While I knew I was (fatigued); that should have been more reason to be more attentive to what I was working on. While following the Job Card like I should have been; I did not double check my work like I should have. If I had; I would have discovered my fault and fixed it immediately. Another station removed the wheel and corrected the problem.Again; I do not wish to make excuses for my actions; however; whether you remove the washer before or after the wheel has been removed from the axle; I believe the step should be in bold on the Job Card; and possibly a warning as well. The washer; when on the old wheel; blends in so well due to the grease that covers that area; that it looks like a part of the wheel assembly. If possible; maybe we can even paint the washer in a contrasting color.

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.