Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Maintenance Action
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Procedure
During inspection for a PIREP for a 'grinding noise and feel' in the [Landing] gear handle after a Functional Check Flight (FCF) (previous PIREPs also); I found the landing gear control cables; in the forward cargo [pit] ceiling outboard side at approximately [frame] station 300; to be wrapped around each other. This was causing the stiff [gear] handle and grinding noise. Cables were inspected per Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) and rerouted; re-rigged per AMM and all operational checks were normal. It appears that a floor beam repair had been accomplished recently; the cables removed during that process. [Contributing factor] Failure to properly inspect cable installation. [Recommend] proper [clearance] 'clear to close' and inspection of routing of control cables when disconnected.
An Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) reports finding the landing gear control cables in the forward cargo pit ceiling wrapped around each other at approximately frame station 300 on a B767-300 aircraft. Pilots had made several previous write-ups for a stiff gear handle with a 'grinding noise and feel.' A floor beam repair had recently been accomplished that removed the cables. 'Clearance to Close' panels also an issue.