DC-10 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors; Manuals; Procedure
My gate partner for the day; Mechanic X and I were assigned to a DC-10 aircraft #2 Engine Thrust Reverser. It was currently locked-out and deferred. We opened the 'patio'; [the] cowls and put the tail stand in place. During our troubleshooting; we found the right side Power Opening Flexshaft sheared. I ordered new hardware to replace some stripped screws and an actuator as a precaution if the threads in it were damaged. Due to time constraints and needed hardware; we knew the [maintenance] task could not be completed and updated the maintenance computer to reflect the condition of the item. The teleflex cable was in position with the bolts tightened and safetied at the drive unit and routed over to the actuator. I knew that the reverser rigging was an RII item; but I did not review the RII Card regarding the teleflex cable. I can only say that in my head; I knew thrust reverser rigging was an RII item and that since I was not performing any rigging; I did not identify the task as an RII. I should have reviewed the [RII] Card anyway. I believe that if RII tasks were included in the Maintenance Manual (M/M); missed RII items could be avoided. In my military days; the Technical Publications (Tech Pubs) insisted these types of inspections be right in the Maintenance Manual. I know that the [RII] Card items change; but if they are that important; maybe the proper place for them is in the Maintenance Manual (M/M) to begin with. That certainly doesn't relieve me of any personal responsibility for not identifying the teleflex cable installation as an RII Task; but identifying RII Tasks in the Maintenance Manual would help. [Had to] troubleshoot and repair # 2 Engine Thrust Reverser that was on deferral.
A Line Mechanic reports not having an RII Inspection accomplished after replacing a sheared teleflex cable for the #2 Engine right reverser half on a DC-10 aircraft.