A mechanic once failed to properly tighten a bolt on the landing gear. When the plane landed, the landing gear partially collapsed. Passengers had a very rough landing and there were some minor injuries. This incident led to a thorough investigation of the maintenance procedures to ensure such mistakes wouldn't happen again.
Sure. One time, a mechanic misread a maintenance manual and installed a component backwards. This caused all sorts of electrical problems during the flight. The flight crew had to deal with flickering lights, malfunctioning instruments, and it was a real nightmare in the air.
One common theme is dishonesty. Mechanics might lie about the problems with the vehicle to overcharge customers, like saying a major part needs replacing when it's just a minor fix.
There was this mechanic who told a customer that their car needed a complete brake system overhaul. The customer trusted him and paid a large sum. Later, the customer found out from another mechanic that only the brake pads needed changing. The first mechanic had lied just to make more money. It was a real horror story for the customer who ended up paying way more than necessary.
There was a case where a mechanic was supposed to replace a radiator. But instead of a new one, he just patched up the old, leaking radiator and charged for a new one. When the car overheated again soon after, the owner found out what had happened. It's so unethical.
Mechanics using counterfeit parts is also a common horror story. A customer believes they are getting quality parts for their vehicle but later finds out that the mechanic used fake parts which can lead to further problems down the road. Also, some mechanics might not be honest about the work they've actually done. They might claim to have replaced certain parts when they really haven't.
There was a customer who left her car at a mechanic shop for a brake repair. When she got it back, the brakes were still not working properly. She found out later that the mechanic had used sub - standard parts. She had to take it to another mechanic and pay double to get it fixed right.
One great mechanic story is about a mechanic who fixed a vintage car that no one else could. The car had a really strange engine problem. He spent days researching and finally found a solution in an old manual. It was amazing to see the car running smoothly again.
A group of sailors once decided to have a makeshift surfing competition on the flight deck when the carrier was at sea. They used pieces of cardboard as 'boards' and the small waves created by the ship's movement. It was a silly and fun event that helped boost morale on the long voyage. The officers initially frowned upon it but later joined in on the fun when they saw how much the crew was enjoying themselves.
One of the worst mechanic horror stories I've heard was about a guy who took his car in for a simple oil change. When he got it back, there were strange noises coming from the engine. Turns out the mechanic had used the wrong type of oil filter, which caused a blockage. It cost him a fortune to fix the damage that could have been easily avoided with proper attention to detail.
One memorable story is about a seagull that got stuck in the engine intake during a pre - flight check. The mechanics were trying to figure out how to get it out without causing damage. Eventually, they used a long pole with a net and the seagull flew away unharmed as soon as it was free. It was quite a sight.