Narrative:

Mechanic X was performing cable tensions on the aileron; rudder and elevators of aircraft X; a crj-200 aircraft. Mechanic Y and mechanic Z were waiting for mechanic X to finish tension checks before they performed the function check of the rudder power control unit (PCU). Mechanic Y said he was waiting on the rig pins for the functional check of the rudder pcus; so I; lead mechanic X; told mechanic X that we needed to pin the rudder for the rudder PCU task; so we would remove them after completion. (At this time I was going through all the task cards to see what needed completion and what was completed before dayshift left at xb:30 pm; there were about 90-task cards total). We would not do the rudder PCU task card till after lunch (xa:00 pm).I found out from another person four days later that aircraft X had to return to gate because the rudder would not move. It was determined that the rudder rig pins were left in. After looking at the rudder PCU task card; it was discovered rig pins were not needed; it only called for the rudder rig kit installation. It is not necessary to perform a travel check of the rudder after the rudder PCU task; so if the pins were left in it would not be known. We do not make a write-up for rig pins being installed due to the fact that task cards have a block to sign for the removal of them. However; we sometimes encounter more then one task card requiring the same items to be pinned; but there might be three people doing three different tasks; sometimes crossing over into different shifts with turnovers.it should be required that the person installing the rig pins for a specific item make a write-up in our maintenance tracking system stating the pins are installed; regardless if the task card has a [sign-off] block for it.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Two Mechanics and one Lead Mechanic report about their involvement with a CRJ-200 aircraft that returned to the gate after a flight crew noticed the rudder pedals were in a locked condition. The CRJ had just been released from a Heavy Check the day before. Rig pins had not been removed from the rudder pedal quadrants.

Narrative: Mechanic X was performing cable tensions on the aileron; rudder and elevators of Aircraft X; a CRJ-200 aircraft. Mechanic Y and Mechanic Z were waiting for Mechanic X to finish Tension Checks before they performed the Function Check of the Rudder Power Control Unit (PCU). Mechanic Y said he was waiting on the rig pins for the Functional Check of the Rudder PCUs; so I; Lead Mechanic X; told Mechanic X that we needed to pin the rudder for the Rudder PCU Task; so we would remove them after completion. (At this time I was going through all the Task Cards to see what needed completion and what was completed before dayshift left at XB:30 pm; there were about 90-Task Cards total). We would not do the Rudder PCU Task card till after lunch (XA:00 pm).I found out from another person four days later that Aircraft X had to return to gate because the rudder would not move. It was determined that the rudder rig pins were left in. After looking at the Rudder PCU Task Card; it was discovered rig pins were not needed; it only called for the Rudder Rig Kit installation. It is not necessary to perform a Travel Check of the rudder after the Rudder PCU Task; so if the pins were left in it would not be known. We do not make a write-up for rig pins being installed due to the fact that Task Cards have a block to sign for the removal of them. However; we sometimes encounter more then one Task Card requiring the same items to be pinned; but there might be three people doing three different tasks; sometimes crossing over into different shifts with turnovers.It should be required that the person installing the rig pins for a specific item make a write-up in our maintenance tracking system stating the pins are installed; regardless if the Task Card has a [sign-off] block for it.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.