B737-800
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Workload; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
[I] received gate call about a possible fastener being loose on a B737-800 aircraft at the left engine inboard pylon. I searched all gate areas for a ladder to use; but could not find a suitable one. There was a Belt Loader [vehicle] nearby; and in thinking I could avoid a delay searching further for a ladder I opted to use it. In my hurry to get to the fastener and to avoid a delay; I accidentally hit the nose cowl with the corner of the loader. Lighting was poor in the area; and I was nearing the end of my Graveyard shift and work week. Suggest don't use improper equipment for job; and don't worry about delays.
While trying to avoid a departure delay because he could not find any available ladders in the gate area to reach a loose fastener on a B737-800 aircraft; a Line Mechanic decides to use a Belt Loader vehicle and accidentally strikes the engine nose cowl.