Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Chart Or Publication; Procedure; Human Factors; Equipment / Tooling; Company Policy
Tail dents on a CRJ aircraft. I was performing the new CRJ-700/900 Gear Door Measuring Task; which requires aircraft on jacks. After returning from lunch break; I noticed the aircraft was pointing slightly nose down. I jacked the nose of the aircraft to level it for a moment; and then realized that the Tail Stand was installed; I then stopped the jacking. The Tail Stand was tight to the airframe so I pushed it out. I then inspected the area and found dents 2-3 inches behind where the Tail Stand was installed. I notified the Lead Mechanic and he asked Sheetmetal to take a look. I thought I could have caused the dents. After everyone looked at where our Tail Stand was in relation to the dents; and that the dents were dirt covered; it was possible the dents were already there. At the time; the dents were only slightly noticeable. I expected to have a dent deferral so I continued on with the gear door tasks and Sheetmetal started marking and measuring the dents. I have not jacked an aircraft very many times; but I have thought a lot about the jacking process and suggest four people be required for jacking and placards on jacks that state 'Check for Tail Stand.'
A Mechanic reports he jacked the fuselage nose of a company CRJ aircraft in their hangar to level the airplane after noticing the aircraft in a slightly nose down attitude. Than he realized the tail stand was still installed.