WHILE OPERATING A FORKLIFT AND CLEARING THE ROLL CAGE OF THE WINGTIP OF A CRJ-900 AIRCRAFT; MECHANIC FAILS TO NOTICE THE HEIGHT OF THE FORKLIFT MAST AND STRIKES THE WINGLET.

Narrative

I WAS ASSIGNED TO DO A CHK ON ACFT X IN THE UPPER HANGAR. THE ACFT NEEDED 4 MAIN TIRES. THERE WERE NO TIRES IN THE UPPER HANGAR. I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO GET THE 4 MAIN TIRES. I WENT DOWN TO THE LOWER HANGAR TO GET A FORKLIFT TO MOVE THE 4 MAIN TIRES TO THE UPPER HANGAR. THE FORKLIFT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HANGAR FLOOR. THERE WERE OXYGEN AND NITROGEN BOTTLES ON THE L SIDE OF THE FORKLIFT; AND A MAINT STAND ON THE OTHER. I STARTED TO BACK UP AND SAW THE CRJ900 WINGLET BEHIND ME. I TURNED THE FORKLIFT TO CLEAR THE ROLL CAGE OF THE FORKLIFT; SO I WOULD NOT HIT THE WINGLET. ONCE THE ROLL CAGE WAS CLEAR; I STRAIGHTENED OUT THE WHEEL OF THE FORKLIFT AND STARTED TO BACK UP AGAIN. I THEN HEARD A CRUNCH SOUND. I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY; I THEN REALIZED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE BODY OF THE FORKLIFT HAD CLEARED; THE MAST OF THE FORKLIFT DID NOT. I THEN GOT OFF THE FORKLIFT AND TOLD MY CREW CHIEF WHAT HAD HAPPENED. EVEN THOUGH HVY MAINT LEFT THE UPPER HANGAR; PARTS SHOULD STILL MAINTAIN STOCKING TIRES AT THE UPPER HANGAR. THE FORKLIFT SHOULD BE PARKED OUTSIDE; NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HANGAR WHERE THE ACFT AND CLUTTER AND ALL THE MHV STANDS; AND EQUIP ARE. ADD A PLACARD TO REMIND A PERSON ABOUT THE HT OF THE FORKLIFT MAST.