Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Maintenance Powerplant; Maintenance Airframe
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
CRJ-700 aircraft was pushed back from the gate. We performed engine start checks; then started engine. I; Mechanic X; called for taxi and we get clearance from Tower. Mechanic Y reports no brakes or steering. I try my brakes; no stop. I then armed thrust reverses and pull back on thrust reverser levers. I saw on the EICAS the thrust reverser did activate but not soon enough to stop us. After the incident I go to stop the engines and we go through shutdown procedures. Tower calls and ask if we need assistance or medical crew; and I tell them that we were okay. Then aircraft shutdown. I feel [that] an abnormal event and then the onset of panic caused the event along with the amount of time to fix said event. Aircraft damage. Struck against an aircraft. Surface dry.
A Line Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) describes his efforts to stop their CRJ-700 aircraft during taxi out when he realized they did not have any brakes or nosewheel steering control prior to contacting another aircraft. The abnormal event and onset of panic contributed to the incident.