Maintenance Powerplant; Maintenance Airframe
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Human Factors; Equipment / Tooling; Company Policy
While completing the Preliminary Inspection on aircraft before Avionic's work was to begin; found the #1 tire required servicing. When Service Cart was brought to aircraft; noticed that the normal Brass High Pressure inflation tool was replaced with a High Pressure screw-on tool with gauge with approximately 6 FT of hose. This style of inflation tool is inappropriate due to the fact if you are not paying attention or there is a defect in Gauge/Regulator you could have a catastrophic tire burst resulting in aircraft damage or personal injury. If you review the two incidents of Company aircraft where this has happened; you will see that the screw-on tool was used. Also recently here a tire valve was damaged by this same screw-on equipment. Next the Tire Cart Service regulator has a large leak coming from the [bottle] regulator. If this happens in conjunction with a defective screw-on type tool or the Technician is not paying attention; this could cause damage/injury if tire does burst. One other thing; it [screw-on tool] is very bulky and clumsy to use (attaches to valve stem); could cause unseen damage if improperly used.[Recommend] keeping the screw-on style tool for those mechanics that feel comfortable using [that tool] along with training as to what could happen if not used correctly. But also place the Brass High Pressure service chucks back on the [Service] carts for the mechanics that do not feel comfortable using the other [screw-on] style. What are a few bucks? Next when it comes to the Service Carts; there should be some type of weekly/monthly inspection/repair program in place to keep them in top performance. High pressure fluids/gases are not something to play around with.
Reporter stated the high pressure screw-on type tool he was referring to requires the Technician to physically 'screw' the tire servicing tool onto the valve stem of the tire; as opposed to just 'pushing-on' and holding the tool in position; as the tire is serviced with air. Some mechanics prefer to use the screw-on type when servicing the Nose tires because the Nose Gear doors are low and interfere with servicing the tires; especially when the valve stem is positioned at the twelve o'clock position.Reporter stated the screw-on type servicing tool was involved with two incidences. First; the Schrader valve was blown out of the nose wheel due to Mechanic unaware that excessive pressure had been applied. The other incident was because the Mechanic was reading Kilos instead of P.S.I. on the bottle pressure and applied 1500 PSI pressure to the tire. The line pressure gauge is six feet from the end of the screw-on fitting that attaches to the valve stem and not held in Mechanic's hand while servicing; whereas the eight inch Brass High Pressure type inflation tool and gauge are; making the line gauge pressure easily read.Reporter stated his Air Carrier has removed all the screw-on type inflation tools [adapters] from their system and now only uses the solid Brass High Pressure inflation type. He is aware that other Operators still use the screw-on type inflation tool; and feels that future incidents will occur.
An Inspector has safety concerns involving the use of High Pressure 'screw-on' type inflation tools (adapters)that are used to service aircraft tires on their Gulf G-200 aircraft; compared to the Brass High Pressure type 'push-on' type tire servicing equipment.