Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
Crew of Flight X reported Number 4 main tire had cord showing after arrival. Main Tire/Wheel Assembly was subsequently changed by myself at the gate. I had the departing crew for Flight Y hold [passenger] boarding until such time as I had the wheel assembly removed and replaced (R/R). In an effort to speed the boarding process and minimize delay; once I had the main wheel assembly installed on the aircraft; I decided to service the tire with nitrogen; let the aircraft down off the jack; and then finish up with the installation/safety of the wheel cap. I proceeded with this plan of action after I placed the wheel cap on the wheel and had installed the bolts securing the wheel cap on finger tight. I serviced the tire; let the aircraft down off the jack; told the crew to proceed with boarding; and then I finished the paper work. Approximately 45-minutes later while I was eating lunch; I had the realization that I had most likely not finished installing the wheel cap bolts; nor had I secured them with safety wire. Was eating lunch when I was struck by the realization that I could not recall applying a final torque or securing the bolts to the wheel cap. In an effort to minimize the delay at the gate; I let myself get out of sequence with the maintenance procedure and I'm relatively sure that I missed the last procedures of installation to torque and safety the bolts for the Number 4 Wheel Dust/Anti-Skid Transducer cap. As soon as I realized I might have missed securing the cap; I went to the gate where the aircraft had been to find it was gone. I immediately called the Manager of Quality and Maintenance Control to have the aircraft looked at upon arrival in ZZZ1; and the Manager of Maintenance. As of the time of this writing I am not aware of any subsequent actions. I will not; in the future; deviate from established procedures as laid out in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual.
A Line Mechanic reports he let himself get out of sequence during a removal/replacement of Number 4 Main Tire wheel assembly by temporarily installing the Wheel Dust/Anti-Skid Transducer cap bolts only finger tight until he had down-jacked a CRJ-200 aircraft. He was attempting to help speed up passenger boarding and minimize a delay.