Airbus A300 had a fuel center tank pump MEL deferral; but ramp personnel and dispatch had difficulty...

Narrative:

MEL 28-21-03-B center tank pumps-inop. MEL advises that fuel increase of 1.0% ovb; fuel in trim tank no more than 4;400 lb and unusable part of ZFW (this was adz to ramp). The MEL does not state in any area that in order for RA (gate agent) to be able to enter the numbers in weight and balance (west/B); they need to put an 'x' next to the inop pump or the fact that if it is only 1 pump; they still have to mark both inop in order for the center tank fuel to show as ballast/MEL.the agent did not advise dispatch that they had fuel in the center tank that would affect the west/B. They could not get the center tank fuel to populate in the ballast/center tank. It wasn't until another dispatcher heard the issue and advised he had had this same issue a few weeks ago; had to write an as soon as possible. I was advised to instruct the crew to have RA put an 'x' next to both center pumps; which I relayed to the captain over the phone.RA was able to get the fuel entered in west/B and captain and I discussed the MEL and operations #2. Make sure applicable tank(s) (center; act; and/or trim tank) fuel quantity is accounted for in release as MEL penalty fuel and that the fuel total figure is correct. This was accomplished and both dispatcher and captain were comfortable with all fuel numbers. Center tanks were not showing checked inop on the west/B on all previous flight legs. Could this be because there was no fuel in these tanks? Do the pumps have to [have] 'x' even if there is a small amount or no fuel in the tanks?the MEL should be changed to show the RA needs to mark not just (1) but (2) center tank pumps inop; in order to get the MEL to show correct fuel numbers on west/B. This MEL shows nowhere that the pump is to [be] marked with an 'x' as inop. No mention of this in the MEL; mx scratch pad or placard. Until the MEL can be revised; a **note** should be either in the mx scratch pad or placard; or both to reflect this procedure. Mx should have to advise ops as soon as possible as to how much fuel is trapped in the tanks.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Airbus A300 had a fuel center tank pump MEL deferral; but ramp personnel and Dispatch had difficulty getting the weight and balance computer to accept the MEL fuel correctly.

Narrative: MEL 28-21-03-B center tank pumps-inop. MEL advises that fuel increase of 1.0% OVB; fuel in trim tank no more than 4;400 lb and unusable part of ZFW (This was ADZ to ramp). The MEL does not state in any area that in order for RA (Gate Agent) to be able to enter the numbers in weight and balance (W/B); they need to put an 'x' next to the inop pump or the fact that if it is only 1 pump; they still have to mark both inop in order for the center tank fuel to show as ballast/MEL.The agent did not advise dispatch that they had fuel in the center tank that would affect the W/B. They could not get the center tank fuel to populate in the ballast/center tank. It wasn't until another dispatcher heard the issue and advised he had had this same issue a few weeks ago; had to write an ASAP. I was advised to instruct the crew to have RA put an 'x' next to both center pumps; which I relayed to the Captain over the phone.RA was able to get the fuel entered in W/B and Captain and I discussed the MEL and operations #2. Make sure applicable tank(s) (center; act; and/or trim tank) fuel quantity is accounted for in release as MEL penalty fuel and that the fuel total figure is correct. This was accomplished and both dispatcher and Captain were comfortable with all fuel numbers. Center tanks were not showing checked inop on the W/B on all previous flight legs. Could this be because there was no fuel in these tanks? Do the pumps have to [have] 'x' even if there is a small amount or no fuel in the tanks?The MEL should be changed to show the RA needs to mark not just (1) but (2) center tank pumps inop; in order to get the MEL to show correct fuel numbers on W/B. This MEL shows nowhere that the pump is to [be] marked with an 'x' as inop. No mention of this in the MEL; Mx scratch pad or placard. Until the MEL can be revised; a **note** should be either in the mx scratch pad or placard; or both to reflect this procedure. Mx should have to advise Ops ASAP as to how much fuel is trapped in the tanks.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1313287
Time
Date	201511
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A300
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Parked
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Fuel Booster Pump
Person 1
Function	Dispatcher
Qualification	Dispatch Dispatcher
Person 2
Function	Lead Technician
Qualification	Maintenance Powerplant Maintenance Airframe
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Weight And Balance Deviation - Procedural MEL Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Airbus A300 had a fuel center tank pump MEL deferral; but ramp personnel and dispatch had difficulty getting the weight and balance computer to accept the MEL fuel correctly.