Narrative:

The aircraft was previously written up for an engine 1 strut over heat warning. Maintenance worked on the aircraft the previous day and replaced several related components in the pneumatic system. They performed several engine runs and the aircraft checked out ok. The aircraft repairs were signed off and cleared and the plane returned to service.I was assigned the aircraft this evening. During the cockpit setup and I noted on the release and on the ATIS the runway VASI was notamed out of service. The flight continued normally up through the takeoff roll and takeoff. During the initial climb around 2000 MSL the flight engineer advised me that we had an engine 1 strut overheat. I advised ATC that we needed to level at 6000 MSL to work a problem and transferred control of the aircraft to the first officer after leveling. The first officer and I worked through the QRH and the strut overheat light extinguished when the left air conditioning pack was turned off. Following procedures we worked the checklist and could have continued if the aircraft had pressurized. The right pack however was unable to pressure the aircraft and it depressurized at 6000 MSL. We elected to return to the field. Upon return to the field I was vectored to final. Upon rolling out on final I was surprised to see that the VASI was operating and showing red over red which was obviously wrong. I queried tower about them being on and they advised they could not be turned off as they are wired to the approach lights and the controller offer to turn off the approach lights and I declined. I am at a loss as to why the airport authority would NOTAM the VASI out of service and then doesn't deactivate them. If they are giving wrong information to flight crews then it is dangerous to keep them on. If they are truly wired to the approach lights then go out to the VASI and physically remove the light bulbs. Another option they would have would be to put a device over them or in front of them to block them from the pilots view.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B727-200 Captain reported returning to land after an Engine 1 Strut Overheat light illuminated after takeoff. This was a repeat item. Upon landing the VASI which was NOTAMed out of service was operating but giving faulty information.

Narrative: The aircraft was previously written up for an engine 1 strut over heat warning. Maintenance worked on the aircraft the previous day and replaced several related components in the pneumatic system. They performed several engine runs and the aircraft checked out ok. The aircraft repairs were signed off and cleared and the plane returned to service.I was assigned the aircraft this evening. During the cockpit setup and I noted on the release and on the ATIS the runway VASI was NOTAMed out of service. The flight continued normally up through the takeoff roll and takeoff. During the initial climb around 2000 MSL the Flight Engineer advised me that we had an engine 1 strut overheat. I advised ATC that we needed to level at 6000 MSL to work a problem and transferred control of the aircraft to the First Officer after leveling. The First Officer and I worked through the QRH and the strut overheat light extinguished when the left air conditioning pack was turned off. Following procedures we worked the checklist and could have continued if the aircraft had pressurized. The right pack however was unable to pressure the aircraft and it depressurized at 6000 MSL. We elected to return to the field. Upon return to the field I was vectored to final. Upon rolling out on final I was surprised to see that the VASI was operating and showing red over red which was obviously wrong. I queried Tower about them being on and they advised they could not be turned off as they are wired to the approach lights and the Controller offer to turn off the approach lights and I declined. I am at a loss as to why the airport authority would NOTAM the VASI out of service and then doesn't deactivate them. If they are giving wrong information to flight crews then it is dangerous to keep them on. If they are truly wired to the approach lights then go out to the VASI and physically remove the light bulbs. Another option they would have would be to put a device over them or in front of them to block them from the pilots view.

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.