Left a rag in a Cessna cowling and caught it before the run-up

Was doing an oil change on a 172 at a small FBO in Wichita about two months ago. Finished up the job, buttoned everything, but I had set a red rag on the left mag and totally spaced it. Taxied out to the run-up area and happened to glance down at the cowl flaps and saw red fabric poking out. Killed the engine right there on the taxiway, had to get a tug to pull me back to the hangar. My lead had me re-inspect everything and write up a note on the discrepancy sheet. No damage but man that could have been ugly. Anybody else have a close call with a FOD item you left behind?

2 comments

2 Comments

jessicaw1118d ago

Man I stuffed a towel in a King Air intake once. Heard the engine eat it before I could get it out.

the_olivia18d ago

I get why you'd do it, but I always thought towels were a bad call for that. They can leave fibers behind that mess with more than just the intake. Wouldn't a rag or even a proper plug have been safer?