Citation Excel (C560XL)
Maintenance Powerplant; Maintenance Airframe
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
Line service supervisor in ZZZ [for our contract service company] was towing a customer's Citation Excel in June and the pilot told him [that] putting the [tow] strap on the [NLG] chrome was incorrect. Pilot instructed him to put it in on the actual gear casing; where the tow bar would hook up. Line supervisor reported this was the first time he had a pilot tell him this. Lektro [Tug] training never said to tow the aircraft that way.I suggest that this procedure outline in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) stating that the strap should be wrapped just above the fork be sent to all FBOs so they know the proper procedure when using the Lektro. And that the FBOs put this as part of their training.
Reporter stated he is a Maintenance Manager and was reporting about one of their Line Supervisors who was not part of Maintenance; but was towing one of their customer's Excel aircraft. The correct location for the fabric strap belt to be installed on the nose gear of Cessna Citation Excel's is just below the chrome area on the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) strut piston and above the nose gear fork that the single nose tire attaches to. Tow straps are not supposed to be wrapped around the chromed section of NLGs; at least not on Cessna Excels. He does not remember the model of Lektro tug used in the towing.  All of their FBOs have recently been informed about the correct tow strap installation on nose gears when using Lektro tugs. That info is generally found in the towing section of Aircraft Maintenance Manuals.
A Maintenance Manager reports that a pilot for their customer's Cessna Citation Excel aircraft had informed a Ramp Supervisor that wrapping a tow strap around the chrome section of the nose landing gear was incorrect. The Supervisor had noted to the Manager their Lektro tug tow training never said to tow the aircraft that way.