Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Procedure; Manuals; MEL; Human Factors; Aircraft
Maintenance Control received a ACARS (Aircraft Communication And Reporting System) message from Aircraft X in regards to TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) being INOP (Inoperative). ACARS MESSAGE: 'TCAS INOP - NAV WITH ASSOCIATED ATC/XPDR2 AND ADS-B RPTG 2'. I sent the flight crew a ACARS asking if the fault only dealt with the TCAS. They responded yes. I sent them a ACARS:1MSG FROM [Maintenance]CAN YOU PLEASE PLACE INOP STICKER; NEXT TO TCAS CONTROL PANEL AND PULL CB K10 ON THE 121VU PANEL AND WRAP A INOP STICKER AROUND PULLED CB.' I also sent them via ACARS the MEL which [Maintenance Control] was going to use for that fault. The intent of asking the flight crew to pull and collar a CB (Circuit Breaker) is more of a heads up that there is more that has to be carried out for this particular MEL. There is no expectation by [Maintenance Control] of having the flight crew perform this in flight. We at [Maintenance Control] do not expect the flight crew to pull and collar any CB in flight. The intent is to have the flight crew preform this action once on ground. This is a common practice at [Maintenance Control]; and when the flight crew responds back; 'WILL DO'. We at [Maintenance Control] take this as they will accomplish this task as part of the MEL once on the ground. There is no rush on the part of [Maintenance Control]; because the system is already inoperative.I believe that adding 'accomplished this action once on ground only'; would definitely help in preventing any unwanted CB pull in flight. Also by adding a note to the MEL's which have CB pulls in their procedures that CB are not to be pulled while aircraft is in flight would also be a great help.
Air Carrier Maintenance personnel reported an incident suggesting that the MEL be revised to clarify instructions to flight crew.