A Maintenance Controller reports a CRJ-700 Forward Cargo Door pressure seal was deferred under a Non-Essential Function (NEF) Chapter 25-700-13 and released. While doing a routine inspection; the FAA determined the damaged cargo door pressure seal was not covered under the NEF category. The aircraft was grounded for repairs.

Narrative

Early morning at approximately XA:30 AM; I was contacted by Maintenance Mechanic X; working the overnight maintenance at the line; of wear/tear found on the forward cargo bay door seal of a CRJ-700 aircraft. The Mechanic inquired as to; if we could defer the damaged seal as per Non-Essential Function (NEF) 25-700-13 CATEGORY-3 (CAT) 'Cargo Door Seal' with remarks/exceptions stating: 'May be worn or torn' and no Maintenance Procedure was required. He said that the part was in stock; but would take several hours to install and the aircraft was due out at XB:00 AM. I told the Mechanic I was going to put him on hold while I conferred with the other Maintenance Controller present. The other Maintenance Controller and I reviewed the NEF and determined that the seal would be covered by the NEF. I then instructed the Mechanic to defer the seal on NEF and gave him the Control Number and correct date. I entered the part number the Mechanic gave me into [the maintenance] computer and closed out the discrepancy once the paperwork was received. The Mechanic also said that the Maintenance Trainers and Hangar Supervisors all agreed that the NEF was legal; based on the way the NEF is written. The FAA; while doing their Routine Inspections; found the damaged seal on NEF [deferral]; and though the NEF does not specify the type seal that can be deferred; they [FAA] determined the door pressure seal was not covered. The event occurred because the NEF was not specific to the type cargo door seal that could be deferred [under NEF]. I was informed that the FAA found the item [deferred] on NEF and they said that it does not pertain to the Forward Cargo Door pressure seal. The aircraft was subsequently grounded and the discrepancy corrected with a delay of 3 hours. The NEF '25-700-13 CAT-3 'Cargo Door Seal' with remarks/exceptions stating 'May be worn or torn' and 'no Maintenance Procedure was required' is too vague and should be revised to specify the type seal that is covered; or remove the NEF Chapter 25-700-13 [reference] altogether.