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When their left engine failed to start the flight crew of a B737NG consulted the MEL and utilized a procedure therein and successfully started the engine. While enroute they determined they may have used an inappropriate procedure for the situation. After landing maintenance advised their chosen procedures were; in fact; appropriate.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1167341 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201404 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Taxi |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Ignition System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Pilot Not Flying First Officer |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
During engine start with right ignition selected; the right engine started normally but the left engine did not light off. We followed the QRH and aborted the start. We then referred to the MEL for guidance. We both felt sure that there was the possibility to start the engine with the left ignition. While referring to the MEL we applied the procedure for the left ignition inoperative instead of the right ignition inoperative. The left engine was started with the left igniter and then the switch was moved to both. During cruise flight; when filling out the logbook; we reviewed the procedures we had followed and recognized [we had made an] error. We spoke with a mechanic at our next stopover to make sure he understood what system did not work and followed up with a call to maintenance control. Although we took our time; we should have been more thorough in our review of the MEL. Perhaps we were both so sure we were doing the correct procedure and just read what we were sure was correct. We did not question ourselves enough. I think the MEL could use some bold letters or highlighting to help with this particular situation. But as I look at the MEL now; it seams clear enough. In the heat of battle things sometimes look different.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: When their left engine failed to start the flight crew of a B737NG consulted the MEL and utilized a procedure therein and successfully started the engine. While enroute they determined they may have used an inappropriate procedure for the situation. After landing maintenance advised their chosen procedures were; in fact; appropriate.
Narrative: During engine start with right ignition selected; the right engine started normally but the left engine did not light off. We followed the QRH and aborted the start. We then referred to the MEL for guidance. We both felt sure that there was the possibility to start the engine with the left ignition. While referring to the MEL we applied the procedure for the left ignition inoperative instead of the right ignition inoperative. The left engine was started with the left igniter and then the switch was moved to both. During cruise flight; when filling out the logbook; we reviewed the procedures we had followed and recognized [we had made an] error. We spoke with a mechanic at our next stopover to make sure he understood what system did not work and followed up with a call to Maintenance Control. Although we took our time; we should have been more thorough in our review of the MEL. Perhaps we were both so sure we were doing the correct procedure and just read what we were sure was correct. We did not question ourselves enough. I think the MEL could use some bold letters or highlighting to help with this particular situation. But as I look at the MEL now; it seams clear enough. In the heat of battle things sometimes look different.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.