Walked into the hangar yesterday and found a 10mm socket stuck in a flap actuator from a job I did 6 months ago.

I was doing a post-flight inspection on a 737 and heard something rattling inside the trailing edge flap. Pulled the access panel and there it was, my old 10mm deep socket from way back in March. I guess I dropped it and never heard it hit the ground. The actuator had a small dent from it bouncing around. Nobody got hurt but it made me think about all the other stuff I might have left behind over 20 years of turning wrenches. Anyone else find something you forgot you lost way later?

3 comments

3 Comments

gavinhunt1mo ago

You ever think that socket might have caused the dent when you put the panel back on?

willowc601mo agoMost Upvoted

You ever think about how that socket probably saved a bunch of other parts from getting gunked up or damaged by just bouncing around in there? Maybe it was doing a little low-key cleaning.

olivia_webb5d ago

Never thought of it that way lmao. That little guy was probably just vibing in there, rattling around and knocking off all the loose dirt and grime before it could settle. Maybe it was like a makeshift cleaning marble for the inside of the panel. I bet that socket came out looking like a little rough and tumble hero, all scuffed up but proud. Meanwhile, everything else inside stayed spotless and dent free. That socket deserves a medal for taking one for the team lol.