Narrative:

Shorty after arriving at work (xa:45am); the ZZZ routine overnight (ron) maintenance supervisor called maintenance control for an MEL dealing with the fuel quantity indication on a dhc-8-100 aircraft. He said both sides [both wings] were failing the jobcard 28-00-01Q; step 3 (fuel system comparison check). I told him we could not MEL both flight deck fuel quantity indicators (MEL 28-2-1). He told me 'no'; the MEL for the magnetic dipsticks (MEL 28-4). I asked: 'are you sure the magnetic (magna) sticks are wrong and not the indicators?'. He told me the indicators are working correctly but the magna sticks were off. I issued the MEL 28-4 as he wanted. After I hung up the phone; I talked it over with the other maintenance controller (controller Y) on duty. We both felt that something was wrong; neither of us have ever heard of all four magna sticks being wrong. It is normally the electronic indication that is at fault; not the magnetic dipsticks. Maintenance controller Y called the ZZZ ron supervisor while I took another phone call from a flight crew. Controller Y convinced the ron supervisor to pull the aircraft from the gate and redo the [fuel system comparison check] jobcard. After properly leveling the aircraft the jobcard checked out and the MEL was cleared. After thinking about it I should have never issued the MEL. I have to make a call on each problem I have every day using the information given to me by the crews or the mechanics. This one did not sound right but the supervisor ensured me that the information was correct. Even though the aircraft did not fly and most likely was not released from maintenance; yet I made the error. I feel I was set up a bit; but it is my responsibility to ensure the information is correct and the correct MEL or maintenance procedure has been complied with.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Maintenance Controller reports issuing an MEL for all four Magnetic Dipsticks on a DHC-8-100 aircraft after they failed a fuel system comparison check Jobcard. He found out later; with the help of another Controller; that Maintenance had not followed the aircraft jacking and leveling procedures requiring the use of a plumb bob.

Narrative: Shorty after arriving at work (XA:45am); the ZZZ Routine Overnight (RON) Maintenance Supervisor called Maintenance Control for an MEL dealing with the Fuel Quantity Indication on a DHC-8-100 aircraft. He said both sides [both wings] were failing the Jobcard 28-00-01Q; Step 3 (Fuel System Comparison Check). I told him we could not MEL both flight deck Fuel Quantity Indicators (MEL 28-2-1). He told me 'No'; the MEL for the Magnetic Dipsticks (MEL 28-4). I asked: 'Are you sure the Magnetic (Magna) Sticks are wrong and not the indicators?'. He told me the Indicators are working correctly but the Magna Sticks were off. I issued the MEL 28-4 as he wanted. After I hung up the phone; I talked it over with the other Maintenance Controller (Controller Y) on duty. We both felt that something was wrong; neither of us have ever heard of all four Magna Sticks being wrong. It is normally the electronic indication that is at fault; not the magnetic dipsticks. Maintenance Controller Y called the ZZZ RON Supervisor while I took another phone call from a flight crew. Controller Y convinced the RON Supervisor to pull the aircraft from the gate and redo the [Fuel System Comparison Check] Jobcard. After properly leveling the aircraft the Jobcard checked out and the MEL was cleared. After thinking about it I should have never issued the MEL. I have to make a call on each problem I have every day using the information given to me by the crews or the mechanics. This one did not sound right but the Supervisor ensured me that the information was correct. Even though the aircraft did not fly and most likely was not released from Maintenance; yet I made the error. I feel I was set up a bit; but it is my responsibility to ensure the information is correct and the correct MEL or Maintenance Procedure has been complied with.

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.