B737-300
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors
I was in the process of Remove and Replace (R/R) #3 Slat rod end switch. I just had removed the #3 Slat rod end switch mounting bolt and I needed to disconnect the Cannon plug off the rod end switch; but there is not enough room in the compartment to put my hands in and disconnect it; so I asked ZZZ Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) to go up to the cockpit to retract the Leading Edge Devices (Slats). Once I thought that the #3 Slat actuator was retracted enough so I could disconnect the Cannon plug; I told him to 'turn off' hydraulics; he did and I was able to disconnect the Cannon plug without a problem. But then I realized that the actuator was not retracted enough so I could removed the slat rod end switch; so I asked him again to retract the Leading Edge a bit more and as soon as he turned Hydraulics 'On'; the actuator jerked forward; damaging the back section of the #3 Slat. I immediately told him to turned hydraulics 'Off'. That's how it happened. We reported the accident immediately to our Supervisor on Duty.
A Line Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) reports how the aft side of #3 Slat on a B737-300 aircraft had been damaged by the slat actuator during removal of the slat rod end switch.