A319 flight crew reported communications issues and confusion during trouble shooting during a SEC 1 failure with SEC 2 already on MEL. A ground only reset procedure was attempted; which resulted in the aircraft entering Alternate Law Flight Status. SEC 3 came online after the procedure was complete; restoring the aircraft to Normal Law. The aircraft continued to destination airport.
Synopsis
A319 flight crew reported communications issues and confusion during trouble shooting during a SEC 1 failure with SEC 2 already on MEL. A ground only reset procedure was attempted; which resulted in the aircraft entering Alternate Law Flight Status. SEC 3 came online after the procedure was complete; restoring the aircraft to Normal Law. The aircraft continued to destination airport.
Narrative
Aircraft had a MEL for an inoperative SEC 2. Approximately 30 mins into flight; got a SEC 1 Fault. First Officer was Pilot Flying; and Captain performed QRH procedures. After QRH procedures; Captain called Dispatch with Maintenance Control in on call. Maintenance Control recommended reset; and that was performed without success. QRH guideline says a reset with a SEC MELed is for the ground only; which was mistakenly overlooked. Also; Maintenance Control apparently thought plane was on the ground when they recommended a reset. Flight continued without incident to ZZZ. Human error while performing QRH procedures; (missed the reset note and caution with SEC 2 on MEL). Maintenance Control not realizing plane was in flight and recommending a reset. Before recommending a reset; everyone knows what phase of flight aircraft is in. If possible; consider using larger print; or even yellow or red colors in the QRH to bring more attention to certain items. Not just having the same size print in bold.
Second reporter narrative
Aircraft had an MEL of SEC 2. Not long after reaching cruise we received a SEC 1 Fault. I maintained control of the aircraft and the radios while the Captain accomplished the QRH procedure. The procedure was unsuccessful. The Captain then called Maintenance Control and talked to Maintenance. I could not hear the conversation because I was fielding a radio call. Maintenance had the Captain do a reset during which the aircraft dropped into alternate law. I finished the transmission and pointed that out to the Captain and suggested that Maintenance may have been in error. We put the plane back as it was and SEC 3 became operative and we continued the flight with no further issues. I don't know what the communication was; but I think there was a misunderstanding about our phase of flight. Human error in communication. I think putting the call on speaker would have been better. Also taking the time to discuss the reset in more detail before accomplishing items.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.