Narrative:

I had an accident which damaged a B737-700 aircraft. I was on overtime (ot); at the wash rack finishing the 2nd wash; when I struck the aircraft with a man-lift. I was pulling up to the aircraft in a raised position; so that I could remove the pitot covers from the vertical stabilizer; when I stopped short of the aircraft; approximately 1.5 to two feet; due to the fact that this man-lift tends to lurch/roll. The 'norm' for this lift is to roll approximately six inches; when the 'dead-man' or hand controls are released. When the lift came to a stop; it slid on the concrete; (which is layered with soap) and struck the rear lower fuselage; captain's side; near the drain; below the aft galley. When the ground at the wash rack is wet; it becomes very slippery for both people and vehicles of any nature. This was my 4th trip to the vertical/horizontal stabilizer on this aircraft; and about the 8th total for the night. No other trips resulted in any aircraft damage. The lift was in 'slow' mode and due to that; it could not go any slower or faster than the governed speed. Upon striking the aircraft I immediately came down to assess the damage and my supervisor contacted the line maintenance supervisor. I was feeling very ill; realizing the nature of the accident and was cooperative with the company and union in regards to statements and questions.my concerns are: 1) I was feeling pressured to get the job done since the shift was about to end; and I was not in a position to stay and help. 2) I did not extend the boom; which I had done all night; due to the fact that it was a different lift than I had used in the past (wash rack lift is out for repairs). Had I extended the boom; this may have been avoided by giving a little more room between the base of lift and the aircraft. 3) the man-lift lurches and continued to roll; and is not safe to use around the aircraft at the wash rack. No one was available and the lift was given to us by another operator. They stated that it was good to go. 4) the concrete at the wash rack has no grooves or traction; due to the fact they they are filled with built-up soap and grease. It needs to be professionally cleaned; removing all built up soap and grease; and possibly re-grooved. It is bad enough that most mechanics will not lube (grease) an aircraft at the rack. Instead they will tow the aircraft to the blast fence to lube; then return the aircraft; if it is remaining at the rack.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Mechanic reports a B737-700 aircraft was damaged; when the Man-Lift he was driving slid on their wet; soapy wash rack concrete pad area; striking the lower aft fuselage.

Narrative: I had an accident which damaged a B737-700 aircraft. I was on overtime (OT); at the wash rack finishing the 2nd wash; when I struck the aircraft with a man-lift. I was pulling up to the aircraft in a raised position; so that I could remove the pitot covers from the vertical stabilizer; when I stopped short of the aircraft; approximately 1.5 to two feet; due to the fact that this man-lift tends to lurch/roll. The 'norm' for this lift is to roll approximately six inches; when the 'dead-man' or hand controls are released. When the lift came to a stop; it slid on the concrete; (which is layered with soap) and struck the rear lower fuselage; captain's side; near the drain; below the aft galley. When the ground at the wash rack is wet; it becomes very slippery for both people and vehicles of any nature. This was my 4th trip to the vertical/horizontal stabilizer on this aircraft; and about the 8th total for the night. No other trips resulted in any aircraft damage. The lift was in 'slow' mode and due to that; it could not go any slower or faster than the governed speed. Upon striking the aircraft I immediately came down to assess the damage and my Supervisor contacted the Line Maintenance Supervisor. I was feeling very ill; realizing the nature of the accident and was cooperative with the Company and Union in regards to statements and questions.My concerns are: 1) I was feeling pressured to get the job done since the shift was about to end; and I was not in a position to stay and help. 2) I did not extend the boom; which I had done all night; due to the fact that it was a different lift than I had used in the past (wash rack lift is out for repairs). Had I extended the boom; this may have been avoided by giving a little more room between the base of lift and the aircraft. 3) The man-lift lurches and continued to roll; and is not safe to use around the aircraft at the wash rack. No one was available and the lift was given to us by another operator. They stated that it was good to go. 4) The concrete at the wash rack has no grooves or traction; due to the fact they they are filled with built-up soap and grease. It needs to be professionally cleaned; removing all built up soap and grease; and possibly re-grooved. It is bad enough that most mechanics will not lube (grease) an aircraft at the rack. Instead they will tow the aircraft to the blast fence to lube; then return the aircraft; if it is remaining at the rack.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.