Date: 201701
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Nosewheel Steering
Component problem: Improperly Operated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Technician
Reporter qualification: Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Human factors: Time Pressure
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Maintenance
When detected: Routine Inspection
Result: General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: I was assigned to a plane in the hangar that needed a Captains left hand console replaced. I'm not totally sure of the dates of which this happened but I installed the Captains steering tiller into the console. After installation I performed an operations check of the steering in accordance with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM). The steering operations checked good and I signed off my work performed. The next day; the plane had not left the hangar and had further work that needed to be performed but was finished before my mid shift. [The day after] near end of shift I was informed by a coworker that the plane (Aircraft X) had its steering tiller written up as being incorrectly installed. It was at this time that I realized I must have installed it backwards. Due to the design of the tiller; no matter which way it was oriented in installation; turning the tiller clockwise would cause the nose wheel to turn right and counterclockwise left. It was for this reason that the incorrect installation went unnoticed during my operations check and also by flight crews; and mechanics taxiing immediately. When I found out about my error I talked with my supervisor before the end of my shift and decided that I would talk to my base manager the next day. I have never filled out a report and it was due to this that I was under the impression that reports were to be filled out for incidents that required immediate attention to correct unsafe conditions. Since at the time that I found out about my error; the error had been corrected and no unsafe condition for the plane existed. It was for the reason that I did not immediately fill out a [report]. I am run taxi qualified on the CRJ-700 and it was for the reason that even though I used a reference and had one next to me I unknowingly became complacent during my installation. I believed at the time that I was well familiar with the placement of tiller and I did not double check my installation as far as the orientation of the tiller. Furthermore my successful operations check further backed up my confidence that I had performed my work correctly. I have been working on planes [for a few years] when I was enlisted in the [military]. My confidence and skills as a mechanic have increased every year since then. Though I am always aware that I could make mistakes at any moment; this incident is extremely humbling. I realize that there is no room for complacency and that I need to continue to double and triple check the work I perform; no matter how confident I am with the task at hand.




Synopsis: A Maintenance Technician working on a Bombardier CRJ-700 reported that the steering tiller was installed incorrectly.