Overheard a new guy say torque wrenches are optional

I was changing out a landing light on a 737 yesterday and this kid fresh out of school says he never bothers with a torque wrench for interior panels. I just looked at him and handed him the spec sheet for that exact screw. Has anyone else seen shortcuts like that actually cause a problem down the line?

3 comments

3 Comments

jamesf4114d ago

Isn't skipping steps kinda just how people cut corners everywhere now?

young.kim13d ago

@wendyprice nailed it, I pull out the torque wrench every time on those galley screws now.

wendyprice13d ago

Not quite right there... skipping torque specs isn't just cutting corners, it's asking for a cracked bracket or loose panel later on. I've seen a galley door fall off mid flight because somebody snugged the screws by hand instead of using a torque wrench. That cheap little shortcut cost the company a whole inspection and grounded the plane for two days. The real issue is these new guys don't understand that those numbers exist for a reason, not to slow them down. It's the small stuff that adds up to big problems eventually.