Following a flight crew's initial report of executing a missed approach; an air carrier Dispatcher discussed a subsequent communication breakdown between himself and the flight crew regarding the reasons they were unable to shoot a second approach because the weather was below minimums. The Dispatcher was unaware that; although the weather was adequate for the associated Precision Approach; the approach in use was; in fact; non precision requiring better than existing visibility.

Narrative

One of my flights shot a missed approach into DCA. The crew sent me an ACARS saying they had done a missed approach and were going to shoot the approach again. At the time the weather was going down in the PHL and DCA area. I was working on another issue with a flight when I received a second ACARS saying they could not shoot another approach due to the visibility. Although the METAR was reporting RVR [adequate] for their precision approach it turned out they were using the non-precision approach. After I found out they were using the non-precision approach I advised the crew to disregard [my previous] bad information ACARS. It was not my intent to start an argument with the crew. It was my intent to make sure we were doing everything correctly and in this case the crew was doing everything by the book. The Captain and Dispatcher have joint operational control and responsibility for each flight. I have had several Captains in the past who were interpreting approaches; charts and regulations incorrectly. In this case it would have helped if I had understood the approach that they were using correctly the first time. It is hard for us in dispatch to know what approach a flight is being given and it is evident that the crew and I were not on the same page as far as what approach they were using today. In the Captain's narrative he said his recommendations were for 'Dispatch to help assist the Captain in his decisions after he had exercised his Captain's authority.' While I can see his point; I don't agree with it 100% per the regulations. I think this is where a discussion on Dispatcher/flight crew responsibility needs to be addressed. I think there needs to be some rules or guidelines on how these two can interact with each other.