Incident Details
On September 8, 2015, after several hours of maintenance work on an Airbus A320 at Katowice Airport (EPKT), mechanics left a flashlight on the main landing gear leg. Following the aircraft's departure, the airport operations officer discovered the flashlight on the runway. The flashlight's markings allowed identification of its owner.
Findings
The investigation identified two causes for the incident: 1. Human error: lack of communication among maintenance personnel regarding who would remove the flashlight from the work area. 2. An incorrectly performed pre-flight inspection by both the flight crew and the maintenance organization.
No injuries or damage were reported.
Preventive Actions
In response to the incident, the following measures were implemented:
- Mechanics performing maintenance tasks were informed to pay special attention to tool accountability and ensure no tools are left behind after work.
- The contracted maintenance organization was instructed to emphasize thoroughness in pre-flight inspections.
- Flight crews received a reminder of pre-flight inspection requirements and were directed to ensure careful execution.
- Staff from the Safety Management and Compliance Monitoring Department will focus on the quality of pre-flight inspections conducted by pilots and mechanics during regular inspections.
- The owner of the abandoned flashlight will undergo additional training on procedures for operating in the airport's operational area.
No safety recommendations were issued by the investigation commission.