A B737-400 number two engine pmc illuminated after engine start. The crew took off after referencing...

Narrative:

After a normal departure from the gate area and established on the taxiway X for a runway xxr departure; the number one engine was started. The engine was on speed when a (pmc inoperative) caution light illuminated on the number one engine. The crew referenced the QRH for pmc inoperative; then referenced the pmc off takeoff and climb procedure in the supplemental normal procedures as directed. Upon completion of the procedures review; the crew elected to depart using supplemental normal procedures. On departure climbout; the number two engine was unable to provide full climb thrust. Crew elected to return to the departure airport and landed without incident. At the gate the crew reviewed flight operations manual; pilot handbook; and QRH a second time and determined an error in the execution of company policy had been made. A recent write-up of the pmc in the maintenance log prior to flight; caused the crew to mistakenly believe the aircraft was in an MEL status upon dispatch; when in actuality it was an informational write-up only. The crew had an MEL/cdl item requiring an amended flight release. Crew should review fom flight release policy; when an amended flight release is required.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B737-400 number two engine PMC illuminated after engine start. The crew took off after referencing the FOM Supplemental Normal Procedures but the engine was unable to develop rated power so they returned to the departure airport after declaring an emergency.

Narrative: After a normal departure from the gate area and established on the Taxiway X for a Runway XXR departure; the number one engine was started. The engine was on speed when a (PMC INOP) caution light illuminated on the number one engine. The crew referenced the QRH for PMC INOP; then referenced the PMC OFF Takeoff and Climb Procedure in the Supplemental Normal Procedures as directed. Upon completion of the procedures review; the crew elected to depart using Supplemental Normal Procedures. On departure climbout; the number two engine was unable to provide full climb thrust. Crew elected to return to the departure airport and landed without incident. At the gate the crew reviewed Flight Operations Manual; Pilot Handbook; and QRH a second time and determined an error in the execution of company policy had been made. A recent write-up of the PMC in the maintenance log prior to flight; caused the crew to mistakenly believe the aircraft was in an MEL status upon dispatch; when in actuality it was an informational write-up only. The crew had an MEL/CDL item requiring an amended flight release. Crew should review FOM Flight Release Policy; when an amended Flight release is required.

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.

Attributes
ACN	984646
Time
Date	201112
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Tower
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-400
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb Initial Climb Taxi
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	FADEC / TCC
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Person 2
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

A B737-400 number two engine pmc illuminated after engine start. The crew took off after referencing the fom supplemental normal procedures but the engine was unable to develop rated power so they returned to the departure airport after declaring an emergency.