Ground personnel reported the nose gear was fully extended as the 737 MAX was unloaded at the gate. The observer reported the passengers and forward cargo bin were unloaded at the same time. The reporter suggests the aft cargo bin be unloaded first or a tail pogo brace be used to keep the aircraft in balance.

Date: 2021-11 · Aircraft: B737 MAX Series Undifferentiated · Phase: ground

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|ground-event-encounter-object|ground-event-encounter-ground-equipment-issue

Synopsis

Ground personnel reported the nose gear was fully extended as the 737 MAX was unloaded at the gate. The observer reported the passengers and forward cargo bin were unloaded at the same time. The reporter suggests the aft cargo bin be unloaded first or a tail pogo brace be used to keep the aircraft in balance.

Narrative

A 737 Max at the gate. The forward cargo bin and passengers deplaned at the same time leaving a tail heavy aircraft as the nose strut and scissor fully extended and the nose possibly could have left the ground; shift the CG of the aircraft aft. Aircraft acting like a wind vane. Wind from the northwest blowing the nose of the aircraft to the right jamming the aft side of the door into the jet bridge. Heard a crunching sound as the aircraft shifted from the wind and called my Supervisor and Lead Mechanic. Pilot and co-pilot stayed in the fight deck till all passengers were deplaned. While on the jet bridge saw the dots move away from each other...approximately two feet separation from the entry way of the aircraft to jet bridge. Gate Agent helping passengers off. This was not the Gate Agent's fault. I have reported this to Management before of a tail heavy 737 Max CG moving. No pogo stick is used on the 737 Max.Do not unload forward cargo until all passengers are off the aircraft. Possible use a pogo stick.

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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.