An Aircraft Inspector reports being informed by his Maintenance Supervisor; that during an 'A' check; an A320 right forward cabin door (R-1) slide safety pin; had been found still installed in the slide pack; after he had performed the RII for the pin removal; more than seven months earlier.
Synopsis
An Aircraft Inspector reports being informed by his Maintenance Supervisor; that during an 'A' check; an A320 right forward cabin door (R-1) slide safety pin; had been found still installed in the slide pack; after he had performed the RII for the pin removal; more than seven months earlier.
Narrative
Company's Maintenance Supervisor informed me that during an 'A' phase inspection of aircraft; the disarm pin had been found installed in the (door) R-I slide; disarming it. He informed me that this was the same aircraft that I had performed the inspection on; as RII on the slide installation. The following is my statement of the events as I remember them concerning the installation of the slide on November 2008. When I entered the aircraft; the first thing I noticed was that; there were too many people there watching; I asked the ramp crew to leave. The installation paperwork was there and I made a copy for myself. During the installation it was noted that the (slide) harness needed to be moved to the other side. This was done and the Mechanics went forward with the installation. The next problem that I can remember is that the Mechanics had some difficulty installing the mounting screws; other tools were obtained to do this. I went through the installation instructions line by line; to verify that it was done properly. I then signed the aircraft log as RII. I went over my copy of the installation instructions at least one other time after the aircraft departed.
NASA callback
Reporter stated he was responsible for the RII Inspection of the slide installation at the forward right cabin door R-1. Included in his RII Inspection; was the removal of the safety pin in the slide pack and; in the door opening assist bottle.Reporter stated he was shown a picture of a safety pin still in the slide pack assembly; which he was told came from the slide he had performed the RII Inspection; over seven months ago.Reporter stated; what he finds very disturbing; is how very obvious and noticeable the safety pin is; with the colored warning streamer attached to the pin. After twenty years in the military; as a Technician; and fifteen of them as an Inspector; he would not have missed that slide pin and streamer. He believes the Mechanics installing the slide; would not have missed such an obvious safety pin either; as part of their sign-offs.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.