An EMB135 had an engine thrust reverser panel depart the aircraft in-flight. Caused by panel fastene...

Attributes
ACN	655323
Time
Date	200504
Place
Locale Reference	airport : zzz.airport
State Reference	US
Altitude	agl single value : 0
Aircraft 1
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	EMB ERJ 135 ER&LR
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	maintenance : technician
ASRS Report	655323
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	maintenance : lead technician
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : critical maintenance problem : improper documentation maintenance problem : improper maintenance non adherence : company policies non adherence : published procedure
Independent Detector	other other : 5
Resolutory Action	none taken : detected after the fact
Consequence	other other other
Factors
Maintenance	contributing factor : tooling performance deficiency : logbook entry performance deficiency : inspection performance deficiency : scheduled maintenance performance deficiency : training performance deficiency : installation performance deficiency : unqualified personnel
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Aircraft Company Maintenance Human Performance
Primary Problem	Maintenance Human Performance

Narrative:

In regards to aircraft X which was here friday for a phase 2A check. As we now know; one of the r-hand thrust reverser panels (426AB) departed the aircraft sometime during flight. I was the inspector for this aircraft and gave the ok to close for the thrust reverser panels. All screws were installed (started) but not tight. The system that was being used was one mechanic started the screws and another would come behind with a screw gun to tighten them. In this situation; I believe there was a communication breakdown. It started by their being only 1 screw gun available from parts (the others were all checked out). Here at ZZZ we have several new mechanics who are not fully up to speed on how the work flows during heavier maintenance assignments; ie; phases and engine changes. The new mechanic didn't realize he was supposed to go behind with the screw gun and make sure all screws for the panels were tight and I never went behind and checked and the senior mechanic and I signed for it.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: AN EMB135 HAD AN ENG THRUST REVERSER PANEL DEPART THE ACFT INFLT. CAUSED BY PANEL FASTENERS NOT TORQUED.

Narrative: IN REGARDS TO ACFT X WHICH WAS HERE FRIDAY FOR A PHASE 2A CHK. AS WE NOW KNOW; ONE OF THE R-HAND THRUST REVERSER PANELS (426AB) DEPARTED THE ACFT SOMETIME DURING FLT. I WAS THE INSPECTOR FOR THIS ACFT AND GAVE THE OK TO CLOSE FOR THE THRUST REVERSER PANELS. ALL SCREWS WERE INSTALLED (STARTED) BUT NOT TIGHT. THE SYS THAT WAS BEING USED WAS ONE MECH STARTED THE SCREWS AND ANOTHER WOULD COME BEHIND WITH A SCREW GUN TO TIGHTEN THEM. IN THIS SIT; I BELIEVE THERE WAS A COM BREAKDOWN. IT STARTED BY THEIR BEING ONLY 1 SCREW GUN AVAILABLE FROM PARTS (THE OTHERS WERE ALL CHKED OUT). HERE AT ZZZ WE HAVE SEVERAL NEW MECHS WHO ARE NOT FULLY UP TO SPD ON HOW THE WORK FLOWS DURING HEAVIER MAINT ASSIGNMENTS; IE; PHASES AND ENG CHANGES. THE NEW MECH DIDN'T REALIZE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO GO BEHIND WITH THE SCREW GUN AND MAKE SURE ALL SCREWS FOR THE PANELS WERE TIGHT AND I NEVER WENT BEHIND AND CHKED AND THE SENIOR MECH AND I SIGNED FOR IT.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 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.

An EMB135 had an engine thrust reverser panel depart the aircraft in-flight. Caused by panel fasteners not torqued.