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During logbook review; an ATR-72 captain questioned maintenance control about the applicability of an MEL to a malfunctioning right tank refueling valve position light. Maintenance control had deferred the entire refueling panel system; because they did not have an MEL item just for the light. Pilot believes aircraft should have been grounded.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 865901 |
| Time | |
| Date | 200912 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | ATR 72 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Parked |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Fuel Distribution System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Commercial |
| Experience | Flight Crew Type 8000 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural FAR Deviation - Procedural MEL |
Narrative:
Aircraft had MEL 28-08 refueling panel system. Upon logbook review I contacted maintenance control and questioned the applicability of MEL 28-08 to a malfunctioning right tank refueling tank light (light continuously indicated refueling valve open). Maintenance control assured me that the MEL was valid for the malfunction and that the aircraft was safe to operate. Maintenance control stated that they did not have an MEL for the valve so they placed the entire system on MEL. The following morning; maintenance was troubleshooting the aircraft on the ground with the fuel truck connected and the valve was open when the light was on. Aircraft flew two flights with an open right tank refueling valve. An inaccurate MEL was applied to system. Suggest that a realistic MEL be applied.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: During Logbook review; an ATR-72 Captain questioned Maintenance Control about the applicability of an MEL to a malfunctioning right tank Refueling valve position light. Maintenance Control had deferred the entire Refueling Panel System; because they did not have an MEL item just for the light. Pilot believes aircraft should have been grounded.
Narrative: Aircraft had MEL 28-08 Refueling Panel System. Upon Logbook review I contacted Maintenance Control and questioned the applicability of MEL 28-08 to a malfunctioning right tank Refueling tank light (light continuously indicated Refueling valve open). Maintenance Control assured me that the MEL was valid for the malfunction and that the aircraft was safe to operate. Maintenance Control stated that they did not have an MEL for the valve so they placed the entire system on MEL. The following morning; Maintenance was troubleshooting the aircraft on the ground with the fuel truck connected and the valve was open when the light was on. Aircraft flew two flights with an open right tank Refueling valve. An inaccurate MEL was applied to system. Suggest that a realistic MEL be applied.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.