AN MD88 WAS DISPATCHED IN NON COMPLIANCE WITH #2 GALLEY CARRIER LATCHES MISSING BUT NOT ON THE DEFERRED ITEM LIST.

Narrative

AUG/MON/01; ZZZ PLACED SOME #2 GALLEY MISCELLANEOUS CARRIER LATCHES ON MAINT CARRY OVER; MEL 25-00-11. AUG/THU/01; IN CONCURRENCE WITH MAINT COORDINATOR (YXX) THE MEL WAS LIFTED; THE ITEM CONTINUED ON MAINT CARRY OVER (DEFERRED). I POINTED OUT THE MISCELLANEOUS CARRIER AREAS 2 EACH HAD; IN THIS CASE MISSING LATCHES. I INTERPRETED THE CABIN DISCREPANCY LIST 'MISCELLANEOUS CARRIER' ITEM TO MEAN THESE LATCHES AND CONSEQUENTLY A NON MEL ITEM. ALSO; THE AFT GALLEY MISCELLANEOUS CARRIER AREAS SUPPORTED ONE LESS LATCH THAN #2 GALLEY. AUG/THU/01; FAA INSPECTOR WANTED TO KNOW UNDER WHAT AUTH/REF WAS THE MEL RESTR REMOVED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MEL SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LIFTED AND THE ACFT INCURRED A DELAY WHILE REPAIRS WERE EFFECTED. AUG/SUN/01; I RECEIVED KNOWLEDGE OF THE OCCURRENCE. THE CAUSE OF THE PROB; I BELIEVE; WAS INTERP OF THE CABIN DISCREPANCY LIST WHICH LED ME TO VIEW THE LATCH AS AN ITEM NOT AFFECTING AIRWORTHINESS; AND THE FACT THAT THE FLEETS #2 GALLEY SUPPORTED 2; 3 AND 4 LATCHES IN THIS EXACT LOCATION. SO I SURMISED THE REMAINING LATCHES WERE SUFFICIENT.