Narrative:

An engine run was required at the gate to inspect for oil leaks. While the engine was running; I attempted to contact the ground crew via the flight interphone. I received no response and later learned the individual had removed the headset and departed the area. There was no way to communication with the ground crew during the engine run. Eventually; the mechanic moved to the front of the airplane and gave a hand signal for engine shutdown. I later asked the pushback crew about maintaining communications during the engine run. He responded he had never been trained that continuous communication was required.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B757-200 WAS MAKING A MAINT ENG RUN AT THE GATE AT LGA AND FOUND THE RAMP CREW HAD LEFT THE ACFT.

Narrative: AN ENG RUN WAS REQUIRED AT THE GATE TO INSPECT FOR OIL LEAKS. WHILE THE ENG WAS RUNNING; I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE GND CREW VIA THE FLT INTERPHONE. I RECEIVED NO RESPONSE AND LATER LEARNED THE INDIVIDUAL HAD REMOVED THE HEADSET AND DEPARTED THE AREA. THERE WAS NO WAY TO COM WITH THE GND CREW DURING THE ENG RUN. EVENTUALLY; THE MECH MOVED TO THE FRONT OF THE AIRPLANE AND GAVE A HAND SIGNAL FOR ENG SHUTDOWN. I LATER ASKED THE PUSHBACK CREW ABOUT MAINTAINING COMS DURING THE ENG RUN. HE RESPONDED HE HAD NEVER BEEN TRAINED THAT CONTINUOUS COM WAS REQUIRED.

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.