B747 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Training / Qualification; Confusion
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Human Factors
I was serving as a member of a push team in the international terminal. This particular evening was my second time serving on a push team. I was given the task to assist in wing walking a Boeing 747. I had yet to assist in the push/walk out of a 747. In my training; although several of my classmates gained experience with the 747; my particular team had not. The other wing walker that also served as final marshaller was asked to do so due to his lack of experience/comfort level on disconnection. Prior to pushback; I had explained that I was unfamiliar with the type of towbar that was used on the 747; and needed to have a crash course. He told me that it was pretty self explanatory and that the procedure would be the same. Walk out the aircraft as usual. Wait for stop. Receive/acknowledge brakes set. Give brake set signal to final marshaller. Disconnect towbar. Pull bypass pin; wait for disconnect communication signal. Disconnect communication cable... and walk away. I just needed to know more about the lever that let the middle wheel down on the tow bar. We pushed back and I wing walked the starboard side. The tow tractor came to a stop and I proceeded to disconnect the tow bar. I gave the signal to pull back a bit so I could make my way to the Nose Landing Gear (NLG). I noticed what appeared to be a bypass pin. It had the same shape; and was located on the left side of the NLG strut. I proceeded to pull this pin; but then noticed it was still attached with a thin wire cable to the strut. It wasn't coming off and honestly; I did not want to force it. I looked back at [lead]. He was pointing at the strut; yet higher. I looked and that is when I noticed the remove before flight tag. I realized this was the pin; and pulled the bypass pin. I then waited for the clear to disconnect communication cable and did so. We all cleared the flight and backed off.Upon returning to the ready room; I told [lead] about that pin and having pulled it. He asked me what I was referring to and I elaborated. That is when he began to panic; informing me that it was the wiring pin. He asked me if I had returned it to its location and I mentioned I had not; because I was unaware that it had to be. I made the assumption that; being a larger aircraft; it may have had two bypass pins instead of just one.
Citing inadequate training; an air carrier ramp worker reported that in addition to the proper nose gear pin; he pulled another pin that should not have been removed.