ACR DISPATCH SUPVR DETECTED AN INCORRECTLY APPLIED FUEL ADDITION TO COMPLY WITH MEL RESTRICTIONS.

Date: 2001-10 · Aircraft: Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer · Phase: ground

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-less-severe|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-mel-cdl|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-far|other-mel-extra-fuel-not-done-properly

Synopsis

ACR DISPATCH SUPVR DETECTED AN INCORRECTLY APPLIED FUEL ADDITION TO COMPLY WITH MEL RESTRICTIONS.

Narrative

ACFT HAD DEFERRAL ON AFT MAIN TANK FUEL PUMP. ACR ACFT; MCO TO JFK WAS RELEASED BY THE PREVIOUS SHIFT DISPATCHER. ON TAKING THE NEXT SHIFT; I NOTICED THAT THE PENALTY HAD ONLY BEEN PARTIALLY APPLIED; BUT THE MINIMUM RELEASE FUEL OF 24000 LBS HAD NOT. THE FLT PLAN HAD CALCULATED DURING PREVIOUS SHIFT TO A TOTAL OF 23458 LBS. A NEW RELEASE WAS ISSUED 5 MINS PRIOR TO DEP TIME WITH MORE FUEL. NORMALLY; WHEN REVIEWING OVERSIGHTS IN APPLICATION OF MEL STIPULATIONS; THE COMPANY HAD INVARIABLY EMPHASIZED THE NECESSITY FOR CONSTANT VIGILANCE. THIS IS ALWAYS GOOD ADVICE; AND IT CANNOT BE DENIED THAT THE DISPATCHER MUST DO THE WORK CORRECTLY AND WITHOUT FAULT. HOWEVER; WHEN THE MISTAKE IS MADE BY A DISPATCHER OF THE INTEGRITY OF THIS DISPATCHER; IT CALLS TO QUESTION THE ADEQUACY OF DISPATCH STAFFING BY COMPANY X MANAGEMENT. THE EXAMPLE AGAIN ILLUSTRATES THE HIGH WORKLOAD PLACED ON DISPATCH STAFF; WHICH IS BECOMING A MORE PERTINENT ISSUE WITH THE ADDITION OF WORKLOAD ASSOCIATED WITH THE STAFF DOWNSIZING RESULTING FROM THE EVENTS OF 9/TUE/01. IN OTHER WORDS; IF SOMEONE AS OUTSTANDING AS THIS DISPATCHER CANNOT DO THE DISPATCH FUNCTION PROPERLY; ONE SHOULD QUESTION WHETHER ANYONE IS CAPABLE OF THESE DUTIES AS THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER HAS ESTABLISHED THEM.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.