A DC9 WAS DISPATCHED IN NON COMPLIANCE WITH THE NOSE GEAR SPLASH GUARD NOT SECURED AFTER A NOSE GEAR TIRE REPLACEMENT.

Narrative

ON THE MORNING OF JUN/THU/03; I PERFORMED A ROUTINE OVERNIGHT LINE CHK INSPECTION; FINDING #4 BRAKE WORN TO LIMIT AND THE L NOSE TIRE ALSO WORN TO LIMIT AND; SEVERAL OTHER MINOR WRITE-UPS. I CORRECTED THE SMALL ITEMS; HAD ASSISTANCE WITH THE BRAKE ON #4; THEN FINISHED MY WORK BY DOING THE L NOSE TIRE BY MYSELF. I REMOVED THE SPLASHGUARD AND SET IT ASIDE; JACKED THE ACFT WITH A SMALL BOTTLE JACK. REMOVED AND REPLACED THE NOSE TIRE; TORQUED THE AXLE NUT AND SAFETIED IT. PLACED THE SPLASHGUARD ON THE AXLE; REACHED AROUND THE TIRE; SLID IN THE 2 MOUNT BOLTS WITH ONE-HAND BY FINGERS ONLY STARTED THE NUTS. FINISHED THE AXLE END OF THE SPLASHGUARD. LOWERED THE ACFT; CLEANED THE AREA; PUT AWAY MY TOOLS AND LEFT THE AREA. AS I REMEMBER IT WAS RAINING HARD MOST OF THE NIGHT; I WAS SOAKED; AND LATE IN THE SHIFT. I WAS ALSO GETTING HUNGRY SINCE I NORMALLY EAT AFTER MY WORK IS COMPLETE. I DEVIATED FROM THE NORMAL PROC BY NOT MOVING FROM THE SIDE TO THE REAR OF THE WHEEL TO INSTALL THE 2 MOUNT BOLTS AND TIGHTENING THEM.