Narrative:

When updating the release aircraft xyz was carrying MEL placard abc dc r-hand thrust reverser MEL reference xx-yy. There is an apparent typographical error in the MEL stating that the left reverser can be placarded instead of 1 reverser can be placarded. After discussion with colleagues and the maintenance controller, I was informed that the typographical error was covered by and corrected by letter of clarification number XXX. I discussed the MEL and the letter of clarification with the captain and we concurred that the aircraft was suitable for dispatch on this segment. Today, jul/xy/99, it has come to my attention that there is an unofficial opinion among maintenance management that a letter of clarification does not supersede an MEL and that therefore I released the flight out of compliance with the MEL.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: AN MD SUPER 80 WAS DISPATCHED IN NON COMPLIANCE WITH A R REVERSER DEFERRED AS INOP IN CONFLICT WITH THE MEL.

Narrative: WHEN UPDATING THE RELEASE ACFT XYZ WAS CARRYING MEL PLACARD ABC DC R-HAND THRUST REVERSER MEL REF XX-YY. THERE IS AN APPARENT TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR IN THE MEL STATING THAT THE L REVERSER CAN BE PLACARDED INSTEAD OF 1 REVERSER CAN BE PLACARDED. AFTER DISCUSSION WITH COLLEAGUES AND THE MAINT CTLR, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR WAS COVERED BY AND CORRECTED BY LETTER OF CLARIFICATION NUMBER XXX. I DISCUSSED THE MEL AND THE LETTER OF CLARIFICATION WITH THE CAPT AND WE CONCURRED THAT THE ACFT WAS SUITABLE FOR DISPATCH ON THIS SEGMENT. TODAY, JUL/XY/99, IT HAS COME TO MY ATTN THAT THERE IS AN UNOFFICIAL OPINION AMONG MAINT MGMNT THAT A LETTER OF CLARIFICATION DOES NOT SUPERSEDE AN MEL AND THAT THEREFORE I RELEASED THE FLT OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE MEL.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.