scope:

Description of Driving Event:

An access panel located at the aft end of the orbiter just right of the rudder, broke loose from its attaching hardware and the contamination air plenum. The access panel fell and hit the orbiter maneuvering system (OMS) pod handling fixture below. The access panel did not touch the vehicle or the OMS pod. OMS pod removal operations were in progress when the door fell. The door started working loose approximately three weeks prior to the incident, and a trouble call was made. Blue tape was found on the door edges except for the hinged side.