B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Procedure
The APU was placarded inoperative and the Crew Chief checked in on the headset and asked if we were going to start both engines on the gate. I told him we would and after we got clearance to start we started the number two engine first just like we always do. Right at starter cut out the Crew Chief came back on the headset and reminded me that the start cart was in front of the number two engine. I shutdown the number two engine and at that time the First Officer and I discussed that 'normal' start sequence for an inoperative APU was to start the number one engine first. I asked the Crew Chief if the number two engine had sucked in the start cart hose or had any damage done to it. The Crew Chief said there had been nothing ingested by the engine and no damage to the engine had occurred.
No problem was encountered so we started the left engine; pushed back and later crossbleed started the right engine.
When dispatched with an inoperative APU it was necessary to start the B737-800 using a ground power cart. The flight crew inadvertently started the right engine first contrary to the non-normal procedure because the start cart must be positioned in front of the right engine. The ground crew reminded them and they shut down the right engine; started the left engine and then pushed back prior to restarting the right utilizing crossbleed pneumatics.