Lear Jet Speciallists 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
It is kind of nasty, to talk about a collegue like this in public.
But I dare say, it is to the good of mankind, especially other aircraft mechanics, if stories, like this one, are published.
I will not give any further reference though, because competition in our business is harsh... and well, we don't want the whole branch to make fun of us.
Lear Jet 35 main gear tires, like all aircraft tires, need to have their pressure checked and if required they need to be refilled. So far so good, everybody (even normal automobile inhabitants)KNOW, that you must not overinflate a tire.
But this particular mechanic happened to be "field-working" and there was no pressure indicator attached to the nitrogen bottle.
Relying on all his years of experience, he thought an inflation without indication would do for the meantime.
And he thought, if he overinflated he could always release some of it again, by pressing the valve.
But a pressure release from the tire was no longer possible: After the tire had been inflated with aprox. 250 psi (bottle pressure), the valve could not be forced inside anymore.
Because this was no longer possible, the mechanic decided to unscrew the wheel assembly. After having loosened three or four of the bolts, the wheel "exploded" and landed on top of the hangar roof together with the mechanic`s right arm., which has been missing ever since.
Dear god, I'm glad he's just my collegue and not my father.
Submitted on 07/25/2002
Submitted by:
Katie
Reference:
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