Dispatch Dispatcher
Workload; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Company Policy; Human Factors; MEL; Procedure
Load Planning called approximately 2 hours prior to departure to inform that the forward cargo compartment was inop and we would restrict 9800 lbs cargo since the plane couldn't be kept in balance. I placed them on hold and told Maintenance Control that we were taking a 9800 lb payload restriction with the AC out of the departure station. He asked why and I said the forward cargo compartment was inop and he said it was an easy fix. All they had to do was pop in a panel. I asked if I had to worry about it and he said no. I then told Load Planning that Maintenance Control was fixing it and it was an easy fix by popping in a panel. Load planning then called after the flight was airborne and less than 2 hours from arrival in the next station to inform me that 2 cans were loaded in the forward cargo compartment and what happened about the fix. I questioned him and mentioned how we discussed the 9800 lb weight restriction at the departure station. He only then said that it would be fixed next and that was the intention. I reiterated that the problem was in the departure station and that's what we discussed.
Aircraft had MEL applied due damage to the forward system liner. MEL condition required forward system to remain empty. 787 Dispatch was informed by the shift manager that 28000 lbs of cargo was being held off and possibly the same amount would be held off the next segment with this placard applied. Later Dispatch called the load planner assigned the flight and informed the load planner the placard would be cleared. The load planner planned items in the forward system and the ramp closed out the flight with these items onboard. Subsequently the load planner was informed the MEL was not cleared and was planned to be cleared in the next station. I am not sure who between Maintenance Control; Station maintenance or 787 Dispatch misunderstood where the MEL was to be cleared.
A B787 forward cargo compartment liner was damaged which restricted it from any cargo. Maintenance notified Dispatch that repairs were made; so cargo was loaded and the flight departed. In flight; Dispatch was notified no repair was made.