Narrative:

While completing the preliminary inspection on aircraft before avionic's work was to begin; found the #1 tire required servicing. When service cart was brought to aircraft; noticed that the normal brass high pressure inflation tool was replaced with a high pressure screw-on tool with gauge with approximately 6 ft of hose. This style of inflation tool is inappropriate due to the fact if you are not paying attention or there is a defect in gauge/regulator you could have a catastrophic tire burst resulting in aircraft damage or personal injury. If you review the two incidents of company aircraft where this has happened; you will see that the screw-on tool was used. Also recently here a tire valve was damaged by this same screw-on equipment. Next the tire cart service regulator has a large leak coming from the [bottle] regulator. If this happens in conjunction with a defective screw-on type tool or the technician is not paying attention; this could cause damage/injury if tire does burst. One other thing; it [screw-on tool] is very bulky and clumsy to use (attaches to valve stem); could cause unseen damage if improperly used.[recommend] keeping the screw-on style tool for those mechanics that feel comfortable using [that tool] along with training as to what could happen if not used correctly. But also place the brass high pressure service chucks back on the [service] carts for the mechanics that do not feel comfortable using the other [screw-on] style. What are a few bucks? Next when it comes to the service carts; there should be some type of weekly/monthly inspection/repair program in place to keep them in top performance. High pressure fluids/gases are not something to play around with.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An Inspector has safety concerns involving the use of High Pressure 'screw-on' type inflation tools (adapters)that are used to service aircraft tires on their Gulf G-200 aircraft; compared to the Brass High Pressure type 'push-on' type tire servicing equipment.

Narrative: While completing the Preliminary Inspection on aircraft before Avionic's work was to begin; found the #1 tire required servicing. When Service Cart was brought to aircraft; noticed that the normal Brass High Pressure inflation tool was replaced with a High Pressure screw-on tool with gauge with approximately 6 FT of hose. This style of inflation tool is inappropriate due to the fact if you are not paying attention or there is a defect in Gauge/Regulator you could have a catastrophic tire burst resulting in aircraft damage or personal injury. If you review the two incidents of Company aircraft where this has happened; you will see that the screw-on tool was used. Also recently here a tire valve was damaged by this same screw-on equipment. Next the Tire Cart Service regulator has a large leak coming from the [bottle] regulator. If this happens in conjunction with a defective screw-on type tool or the Technician is not paying attention; this could cause damage/injury if tire does burst. One other thing; it [screw-on tool] is very bulky and clumsy to use (attaches to valve stem); could cause unseen damage if improperly used.[Recommend] keeping the screw-on style tool for those mechanics that feel comfortable using [that tool] along with training as to what could happen if not used correctly. But also place the Brass High Pressure service chucks back on the [Service] carts for the mechanics that do not feel comfortable using the other [screw-on] style. What are a few bucks? Next when it comes to the Service Carts; there should be some type of weekly/monthly inspection/repair program in place to keep them in top performance. High pressure fluids/gases are not something to play around with.

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.