Gulfstream G200 (IAI 1126 Galaxy)
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Situational Awareness; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Equipment / Tooling; Manuals; Human Factors
Talking with the FBO Line Service Manager [in ZZZ]; it was brought to my attention that on the Gulfstream G200 aircraft they are not installing the Nose Safety Pin per the G200 Maintenance Manual Chapter-09; Section-10; Page 202. In the discussion; he told me that several aircrews have told him that they do not need to install the safety pin; they don't do it at any other airport. I contacted FBO Y Aviation in ZZZ1 and talked with the Operations Manager and was told they do not use the pin; they did not know anything about this. This is a safety issue. Unless the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) changes the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM); need to voice this step to all FBO's; also thru the FBO Relations Department; to ensure that this safety step is followed. Also need to communicate to the aircrews of this safety step that they are not aware of. Or do we need to have the AMM revised to delete this step? The Nose Pin Part Number (P/N) is 23122-000-00 (Tronair catalog). Towing G200 aircraft. Maintenance Manager.
Reporter stated he is a Maintenance Manager and was referring to a Gear Safety Pin to lock the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) overcenter link during aircraft tow; not a Nose Steering By-Pass safety pin that locks out hydraulic fluid to a steering actuator when under hydraulic pressure. He is more concerned with some of the smaller Line Station FBO Contract Maintenance and Ramp Service providers that do not have equipment like the Electro-Tugs that cradle and lift the nose gear when aircraft are moved.   Stations not equipped with Electro-Tugs; move aircraft using a towbar and small tug. The stress on the nose gear from pushing or pulling the aircraft with a towbar could cause the mechanical overcenter link to unlock and the gear to collapse without a gear pin installed. Hydraulics are off when their aircraft are moved. Smaller Stations do not have the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) available to them. No changes have occurred in the Gulfstream AMM for the gear pin requirement since he filed his report.
A Maintenance Manager was informed the Nose Gear Safety pin was not being installed in the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) overcenter link during tow movement of their Gulfstream G-200 aircraft. FBO Contract Maintenance and Ramp Service providers were not aware of the Gulfstream Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) nose gear pin requirement.