After swapping out a P-3 squadron in Bahrain, we rested for a night in Rota, Spain.
That respite wouldn't last long: we had a 0700 show for a 0900 flight the next day. Before this mission was over, several people would wish the layover had been longer.
An AE2, crew-chief trainee was doing a preflight when he noticed a leak from the door-latch cylinder on the starboard main-landing gear. He immediately notified the AM2 loadmaster of the problem and then told the AME1 QAR.
They quickly identified the hydraulic line was leaking beyond limits. The AME1 and AM2 decided to take off the line and to reposition and reseat that line. Before they did that task, they notified the rest of the crew. One person was seated in the cockpit to relieve pressure in the system and to make sure no hydraulics were applied.
It now was 0800, and we began the job. The experienced maintenance crew went in to do what was thought to be a quick fix. The maintainers did not wear their goggles. The crew-chief trainee stopped his preflight.
The qualified crew chief and other maintainers were inspecting a possible leak on the port engine. The crew-chief trainee noticed the pre-charge isolation valve for the thrust-reverser accumulator on the starboard side was in the flight position. Trying with the best intentions to safe the system on deck, he moved the isolation valve into the bypass position and pinned it. This step allowed hydraulic pressure to flow into an open line, releasing a quick discharge of Skydrol onto two maintainers.
They were sprayed on the head and back. The AM2 got Skydrol in his eyes when he wiped his forehead and then rubbed his eyes. All work stopped, and the crew helped the AM2 to an eyewash station, where his eyes were flushed with water. He then was taken to medical for further treatment.
The AME1 washed off as much Skydrol as possible and then returned to the maintenance task-this time with proper eye protection. After learning the line had to be replaced, he removed it, capped off the system, and sent the line off to AIMD. He then left to take a shower and discovered chemical burns on his arms and neck, requiring medical treatment.
The two maintainers returned to work and did not suffer permanent damage. The airplane received a new hydraulic line, and the crew flew its mission. We learned several lessons:
* We had a false sense of security because of the person in the cockpit. We did not see the potential problem from the pre-charge isolation valve.
* Aircraft maintenance and aircrew duties should be separate, but both groups need to talk.
* Good communication is necessary, and we need to follow up on our plans when situations change.
* Always make sure personal protective equipment and safety devices are used.
Ground-crew-coordination training is as important to maintainers as ACT is to aircrew. Before any maintenance task, team members need to discuss what is going to happen and who is responsible for particular tasks. We didn't do that, and two shipmates suffered the consequences.
Petty Officer Blanks wrote this story while assigned to VR-57. |
