2010-03 · NASA ASRS report 879402
Two Line Mechanics report the right forward overwing slide on a B767-300 was inadvertently deployed when the disable handle was moved to the 'Armed' position. The disable handle had also moved the auto-arm and auto-fire switches to the 'Fire' position.
I received a job assignment to take over from Dayshift to verify that the overwing escape slide system was all hooked up and ready to sell to Inspection; after a window shade was installed. A couple of other Mechanics volunteered to help me as I was not that familiar with the whole process. As we were going through the arming process at the forward overwing right-hand door I heard a small popping noise after the disable handle was moved to the 'Armed' position. I did not realize what had just happened at that time. Then we went to the cockpit to test the squibs. The right-hand side would not test. At that point we went outside to take a look and saw that the slide had deployed. Upon further examination afterwards it became apparent that when the disable handle was moved to the 'Armed' position; it had moved the auto-arm and auto- fire switches to the 'Fire' position. The other three overwing doors disarming handles did not move the switches to the 'Fire' position. This switch movement to the 'Fire' position by the disarm handle was verified by other personnel.
We were rearming overwing slide system after hatch removal for shade replacement. While moving disarm handle up to the 'Armed' position; the auto-arm and auto-fire switches moved up with the [Disable] handle. We did have the batteries connected as we were preparing to sell this to Inspection and return the aircraft to service. When we went to test the Squibs; we noticed the right side failed test. The slide had deployed. This inadvertent movement of the auto-arm and fire switches was witnessed by five other people.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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