CC177704 Globemaster III - From the Investigator

The incident occurred during the pre-flight inspection of the aircraft in preparation for a multi-leg air mobility flight transporting cargo to Greenwood, NS and then onward to the United Kingdom.

At the time of the incident, the pilots were conducting their pre-flight activities on the flight deck, while the Loadmaster and personnel from the Air Movement Team were completing their loading operations inside the aircraft cargo hold. As part of the pre-flight inspection, a maintenance crew was sent to the aircraft to perform a birds nest check using an articulating boom lift. While the technician in the articulating boom lift was removing a bird’s nest from the elevator area, the #2 hydraulic system was powered up by a member of the Air Movement Team with the intent of opening the cargo ramp and door. This hydraulic system activation startled the technician high up in the articulating boom lift, however no movement of the flight control surfaces occurred, which could have resulted in serious injury. The technician briefly paused their work while the hydraulics were shut off and then proceeded to complete the birds nest check without further incident.

The aircraft sustained no damage and no injuries occurred as a result.

The investigation did not reveal any evidence of technical issues with the aircraft and is focusing on human factors.

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