Date: 201904
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Night
Aircraft: Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Contracted Service
Reporter function: Technician
Reporter qualification: Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Human factors: Fatigue; Time Pressure; Workload
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Object
Detector: Person Maintenance
When detected: Other Routine Maintenance
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Staffing; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
Primary problem: Environment - Non Weather Related

Narrative: I was contracting under Company contracting company to Air Carrier X for line maintenance at ZZZ airport. Last night we were sent to the Air Carrier Y's hangar to do an engine wash on a CRJ-900 aircraft.We had two scissor lifts around the #1 engine to install a vinyl water trap to said engine to collect the solution used to wash the engine blades and deposit it into a container placed under it. We were on the ramp working at night without adequate lighting conditions installing it. Instead of doing this procedure in a well-lighted hangar; they decided not to move it in and do it on the ramp. I positioned my lift at the aft of the engine and was positioning the vinyl covering over the aft engine tailpipe section. I misjudged by an inch and as I came up the railing of the lift just caught the underside of the tailpipe causing a dent in it.I took photos and promptly reported it to my Supervisor [Person #1]. He told me to make a report and take pictures of damaged section. Once back to the office; I was instructed to fill out a logbook entry for Aircraft X in the logbook stating damage dimensions; etc. so that appropriate action could be taken. Today when I showed up for work; the day-shift line Supervisor [Person #2] asked for my badge; as since I was just a contractor; I must be let go for damage to the aircraft.I have always been told to report damage or accidents promptly to management for safety reasons. I; personally; know that hundreds of lives are at stake and should report any damage incurred during maintenance procedures. The night-shift Supervisor [Person #1] was chastising me and my partner last night for not getting the fan blades removed from another aircraft within an hour of starting when the same procedure a couple of days before took us four and a half hours to remove and replace. It took us time to get to the hangar on the other side of the airport; set up tables; get equipment required for the procedure; etc. before we could even start.These people want to rush the mechanics on very critical jobs and it's very unsafe. Especially since we are expected to work 13.5 hr. shifts then get up and do it again! This is the first time in all the years I've been an A&P mechanic that I've ever had this type of accident. Very surprised that doing the right thing for safety purposes would lead to termination of your job. Guess that honesty doesn't pay in the end.




Synopsis: Maintenance Technician reported being let go after using scissor lift which contacted CRJ-900 engine tail pipe causing damage.