Technicians reported that during post maintenance engines runs; procedures were not followed which resulted in a hand held radio being left in the engine inlet. The radio was ingested and damaged several fan blades that required replacement before the aircraft was released.
Synopsis
Technicians reported that during post maintenance engines runs; procedures were not followed which resulted in a hand held radio being left in the engine inlet. The radio was ingested and damaged several fan blades that required replacement before the aircraft was released.
Narrative
At XA:00 on Date; I pushed the Aircraft X out of the hangar to the pad for an engine run following a borescope inspection. After I pushed the aircraft; [I] disconnected the tug. The air stairs were pushed to the aircraft for the second mechanic to occupy the right seat for the engine run. At this time I was the ground man responsible for making sure that no one or thing walked in front of or behind the aircraft engines. The flag man was in position prior to engine start . At this time the person running the aircraft asked for start on the number 2 engine. I signaled him that the area was clear of personnel and equipment and to start number 2. Just after the engine lit off I observed sparks and heard noises coming from [the] number 2 engine. I signaled to the run man very animated to shut down. He did not immediately shut down and I again signaled to shut down. As the engine was winding down I observed parts of a radio on the ground and in the engine inlet. Also we found parts of the radio on the ground behind the engine. Some smaller parts were stuck to the engine blades.The event occurred because one of the individuals left his radio in the inlet after calling Quality Control to do the borescope inspection of the engine. This individual also was the one running the engine and did not do his walk around of the aircraft and clear the engines prior to running the aircraft engine.My suggestion is that we have a checklist that is required to be checked off and signed for at each run event prior to engine start that is signed and placed in the work package.
Second reporter narrative
My Crew Chief rushed me out of the bathroom and said hurry up and get up into the cockpit; aircraft located in hangar bay; then to run it once [the] aircraft was relocated to pad. Name had refused to provide a second person for [the] run. After several attempts to request a second person he did get me a person. Name cleared me to proceed with the run then learned that a radio was left in the inlet of the engine.Rushed and argumentative lead.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.