2011-07 · NASA ASRS report 960116
A Maintenance Controller reports issuing an MEL for all four Magnetic Dipsticks on a DHC-8-100 aircraft after they failed a fuel system comparison check Jobcard. He found out later; with the help of another Controller; that Maintenance had not followed the aircraft jacking and leveling procedures requiring the use of a plumb bob.
Shorty after arriving at work (XA:45am); the ZZZ Routine Overnight (RON) Maintenance Supervisor called Maintenance Control for an MEL dealing with the Fuel Quantity Indication on a DHC-8-100 aircraft. He said both sides [both wings] were failing the Jobcard 28-00-01Q; Step 3 (Fuel System Comparison Check). I told him we could not MEL both flight deck Fuel Quantity Indicators (MEL 28-2-1). He told me 'No'; the MEL for the Magnetic Dipsticks (MEL 28-4). I asked: 'Are you sure the Magnetic (Magna) Sticks are wrong and not the indicators?'. He told me the Indicators are working correctly but the Magna Sticks were off. I issued the MEL 28-4 as he wanted. After I hung up the phone; I talked it over with the other Maintenance Controller (Controller Y) on duty. We both felt that something was wrong; neither of us have ever heard of all four Magna Sticks being wrong. It is normally the electronic indication that is at fault; not the magnetic dipsticks. Maintenance Controller Y called the ZZZ RON Supervisor while I took another phone call from a flight crew. Controller Y convinced the RON Supervisor to pull the aircraft from the gate and redo the [Fuel System Comparison Check] Jobcard. After properly leveling the aircraft the Jobcard checked out and the MEL was cleared. After thinking about it I should have never issued the MEL. I have to make a call on each problem I have every day using the information given to me by the crews or the mechanics. This one did not sound right but the Supervisor ensured me that the information was correct. Even though the aircraft did not fly and most likely was not released from Maintenance; yet I made the error. I feel I was set up a bit; but it is my responsibility to ensure the information is correct and the correct MEL or Maintenance Procedure has been complied with.
Reporter stated all four fuel drip Magna-Sticks are deferrable at the same time under their DHC-8-100 MEL procedures; which leaves the Flight Deck with only the left and right wing fuel quantity indicators showing fuel status. He believes the wing tanks fuel quantity indicators at the single point; pressure refueling panel are electrically slaved to the cockpit indicators. Reporter stated Maintenance Controller Y; who was more senior in experience; informed him later that ZZZ Maintenance had originally used a construction type electronic leveler instead of a hanging plumb bob called out in the fuel system comparison check jobcard. As a result; the DHC-8-100 aircraft was not properly leveled while on jacks and all Magna-Sticks showed faulty readings. Reporter stated the DHC-8 had been towed to the terminal gate with a Maintenance Release and Magna-Stick MEL. After Controller Y talked with ZZZ Maintenance Supervisor; the Supervisor had the aircraft removed from the gate and brought back to the hangar; aircraft jacked up again and the fuel system comparison check re-done using the plumb bob. All Magna-Sticks were verified reading correctly. The aircraft was returned to the gate; MEL cleared with a late departure. Senior management was upset that a delay was incurred and could not understand why the aircraft was not dispatched with the Magna-Stick MEL.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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