Rookie mistake with a tail stand on a Cessna 172 taught me a lesson I won't forget

Was working line maintenance at a small FBO in Wichita back in 2018. Got called to push a 172 back into the hangar after an oil change. Figured I'd save time and set the tail stand before I finished taxiing it in. Well, the guy who parked it left the trim full nose down. When I set the stand, the whole tail popped up about 6 inches and the nosewheel slammed down. Bent the prop strike plate and nicked the spinner. My boss chewed me out for 20 minutes. I should have checked the trim first. That's a $600 mistake on my part. Has anyone else had a ground handling goof that cost real money?

2 comments

2 Comments

adams.taylor9d ago

Skipping the small checks always bites you later, whether it's a plane or just the car you're backing out of the driveway.

nancy_miller9d ago

man that reminds me of how skipping the tiny checks always bites you in the butt lol. it's like rushing to save five minutes ends up costing you way more time and money every single time.