Air carrier technicians reported during installation of the over-wing emergency exit hatch on a B767-300; the escape slide inadvertently deployed.
Synopsis
Air carrier technicians reported during installation of the over-wing emergency exit hatch on a B767-300; the escape slide inadvertently deployed.
Narrative
I was assigned to Aircraft X on an overwing escape hatch window shade change. I assisted my partner throughout the process primarily as an observer. We followed the AMM (Aircraft Maintenance Manual) 51-XX-XX. When the install was nearing completion I was cleaning up tools and searching the hangar for a remove before flight streamer for the spoiler which was misplaced. During this time I witnessed overwing slide deploy from outside the aircraft. After conferring with my partner and the inspector we have come to the conclusion that during the reactivation process steps on the procedure were not done in the correct order as the override spoiler actuator canon plug was installed prior to the batter canon plug. When this happened the out of sequence process caused the slide to deploy. We were undermanned and should have had another tech to have the render safety checklist done while two tech had ability to assist with install and reactivation as well as another set of eyes to verify the correct order was being followed. Additionally this was the first time my partner the inspector and myself had ever performed an overwing hatch removal on a 767.Suggestion: A technician with previous experience should be present to assist and teach along with technician as well as having proper amount of man power to comply with render safe checklist requirements. The importance of sequence has been highlighted and deep importance for the way I will work on any system and make sure that my maintenance is fully compliant with company policy. When the reactivation was performed the steps are supremely critical and this directly led to the slide being deployed.
Second reporter narrative
My partner told me to connect the battery in the interior and the slide blew. AMM (Aircraft Maintenance Manual) 25-XX-XX.Suggestion: Use a radio and communicate with partners more thoroughly and not separate.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.