2011-10 · NASA ASRS report 973310
A Line Mechanic reports he noticed an MEL deferral maintenance procedure discrepancy for their A330 aircraft where MEL 28-21-00 requires a popped wing fuel boost pump circuit breaker to be collared prior to ETOPS dispatch; to comply with SFAR-88 and troubleshooting manual (TSM) 28-21-00. However; MEL 28-40-15 does not require the same popped C/B to be collared for a non-ETOPS flight.
A330 aircraft experienced electrical circuit breaker (C/B) tripped; followed by fuel left pump #2 low pressure while in flight from ZZZZ to ZZZ. While at ZZZ; I contacted Maintenance Control for assistance to MEL this issue because; due to insufficient ground time; aircraft would need a two day stay to be able to comply with special FAR-88 (SFAR-88) and troubleshooting manual (TSM) 28-21-00-810. Maintenance Control in ZZZ1 has been notified [and]; as per cautionary; C/B has been collared. This is being deferred per MEL-28-40-15A [and] entered in the back of logbook; so I was given this MEL by Maintenance Control. I thought it was the right MEL that applied to this issue; ETOPS was cleared; aircraft left ZZZ to ZZZZ; it arrived there with no problem. But; leaving ZZZZ; I was [later] informed that it had a return to block with the wrong MEL on it. So the MEL was changed to [MEL] 28-21-01; which makes it non-extended range beyond 120 minutes. So here; what confuses me [is] how the wrong MEL was applied here in ZZZ when the outbound crew had no problems; [but] the crew in ZZZZ didn't catch this on their preflight and the Maintenance Controller [had] already reviewed the ETOPS and he didn't say anything about it either. The other problem I have here is why in no place in the MEL states to collar the tripped C/B.
Reporter stated he has thirty-five years as a Mechanic with two different airlines. Seems like there is a Catch-22 where the FAA requires compliance with SFAR-88 that also requires Maintenance Procedures be performed for deferral of a popped wing fuel pump circuit breaker (C/B) under MEL 28-21-01 by collaring the C/B and disconnecting the fuel pump canon plug. But; a deferral is allowed under MEL 28-40-15 for the same popped fuel boost pump C/B and 'No' maintenance procedure is required to collar the pump C/B or disconnect the fuel pump canon plug. Why should an ETOPS flight require compliance with SFAR-88 for fuel pump deferrals; but a non-ETOPS flight does not have the same requirement for a popped fuel pump circuit breaker?Reporter stated he installed a collar under the #2 wing fuel boost pump C/B as a precaution; even though the first MEL 28-40-15 they used; that ended up being incorrect; did not require a C/B collar.
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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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