A CRJ-200 nose gear door would not open during the retract sequence; which required an air turnback.
Synopsis
A CRJ-200 nose gear door would not open during the retract sequence; which required an air turnback.
Narrative
I was asked to RII an installation of a nose landing gear (NLG) door selector valve on a CRJ-200 aircraft. I inspected the installation in accordance with (IAW) AMM 32-22-20. All fasteners; lines and canon plugs were found to be properly installed. At that time the installation was signed off by the Mechanic and Inspection signed off by me. The operational checks and leak checks were not performed at this time. The installing Mechanic made a non-routine (write-up) for these to be complied with. Later that evening; this work was complied with and signed off by another Mechanic and Inspector. I was notified that there was an in-flight discrepancy with this valve that occurred six days later. The nose landing gear did not retract after takeoff. The cause for this problem was determined to be the canon plug on this valve was disconnected. To the best of my knowledge all work was professionally done with proper tools and materials. The aircraft did fly several legs without any problems and I do recall precisely checking this Canon plug and it was secure.
NASA callback
Reporter stated the CRJ-200 had flown four flights in two or three days without any problems. During the last takeoff; the CRJ nose landing gear (NLG) would not retract; and the selector valve canon plug was found disconnected. The nose gear forward doors are closed when the gear is extended or retracted. But; with the canon plug not connected to the NLG selector valve; the nose doors will not open. That was the reason for the air turnback.Reporter stated he does not know what may have happened during the leak and operational checks that were accomplished after he signed for his part of the inspection. But the fact the aircraft flew for four flights over two to three days; without any problems; would not indicate to him that the canon plug was the issue; especially since the plug was a quick locking connector type that he knows was secured and does not back off without some effort.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.