Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
MEL; Logbook Entry; Aircraft; Human Factors
Please read MEL 24-XX-XX and apply (O) action #2. This morning on a first flight of the day at XA15 we received paper work for Flight XXXX ZZZ to ZZZ1. I reviewed the paper work and noted 2 MELs. One for the coffee pot and the other for a TRU (Transformer Rectifier Unit). I reviewed the log book and noted that everything had MCNs and appeared correct. I then proceeded with the acceptance inspection. Once the acceptance was complete I looked up the MELs to familiarize my self with them. The coffee pot MEL was complied with correctly. The TRU MEL was complied with correctly as well. After reviewing the MEL with my First Officer we then proceeded with the rest of the gate work; checklist; and departed. While en route I decided to re-read the MEL and learn a bit more about the write in the log book. I came to the conclusion that the MEL did not apply to the write up. The write up said 'DC Service Bus still shows powered when no power is applied to the aircraft. Nav Lights are still on; Placarded and Placed on MEL.' The MEL (24-XX-XX) was applied and the service TRU was MEL'd. When the (O) action #2 was applied per the MEL however the Essential Tie is closed manually and DC Service Bus was re-energized via the Essential TRU2. This did not solve the problem stated in the write up. Once we landed in ZZZ1; I contacted Dispatch and Maintenance and we all agreed that the MEL was inappropriate for the discrepancy in the log book and the aircraft was taken out of service. The complexity of the electrical system and the rarity of MELs used on it played a factor in missing this at the gate as well as the early morning and pressure to get out on time.
Pilot reported a misapplied MEL was used and the aircraft flew in revenue service.