Lost a $200 torque wrench because of one stupid habit

Three years ago I was working a quick turn on a 737 in Kansas City and left my snap-on torque wrench on the nose gear tow bar. Didn't realize it until I was driving home. By the time I got back to the hangar the next morning, someone had already walked off with it. I figured it was just a one-time mistake, but last month I caught myself doing the exact same thing with a cheap micrometer on a Cessna 172. So I started putting a red zip tie on my tool bag zipper as a reminder to double check before I walk away from any job. Has anyone else lost a decent tool because you just set it down for a second and forgot?

3 comments

3 Comments

terry_carter154d agoMost Upvoted

Were you leaving the tow bar hooked up too though?

daniel_walker4d ago

Question whether it's really that serious though. I mean I get being mad about losing a nice torque wrench, but calling it a "stupid habit" after two times in three years seems like a stretch. I've set tools down and had them walk off plenty of times over my career. It happens. The zip tie trick is fine if it makes you feel better, but honestly you're probably just overthinking a couple of bad luck moments. Focus on bigger problems like making sure you didn't leave the tow bar hooked up to the nose gear instead.

charles_kelly433d ago

Jumping off what daniel said about the tow bar thing, I think the real issue is less about the habit and more about the whole fast turnover mindset (you know, that rush to get the plane out the door). I've seen guys drop tools in engine bays, leave rags on oil caps, all because they're already thinking about the next job before finishing the current one. The zip tie trick is smart, but maybe also try a quick walk around with your checklist before you sign anything off. That way you catch not just tools but everything else that could get left behind.