Snap-on torque wrench saved my tail but the calibration check cost me a flight

Out at KLAX last Thursday, I was torquing wheel bolts on a 737 when my Snap-on clicked way earlier than it should. Felt about 30 lb-ft light. I stopped everything and ran it to the calibration trailer myself. Turns out it was 28 ft-lb low. I had already done nine lug nuts on that bird with it. So I broke every one back loose and retorqued with the backup wrench. Cost me two hours and the plane left late. But I keep seeing guys trust their wrenches for a decade without checking. I got lucky, it was just wheels, not a flight control. Has anyone else caught a wrench drifting after a drop or just from age?

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fisher.mary25d ago

Man, I dropped my clicker once and it read 50 high for months.