Narrative:

During right engine start PIC noticed 'auto slats' warning panel annunciator light illuminated. PIC asked me (sic) to look up the malfunction in the abnormal checklist as he continued with starting the left engine. The checklist reference seemed to relate to actions if 'auto slats' enunciator illuminated in flight and the note referenced not to exceed 270 KIAS while in flight. The 'auto slats' light remained on. PIC suggested finding and resetting the left and right 'auto slats' circuit breakers in an attempt to reboot a possible stray instruction in the computer generated warning. No luck. PIC then thought it best to see if there was relief in the MEL for 'auto slats'. He quickly located MEL 27-17 in section 27 - flight controls. I then looked up what he found. PIC then called maintenance control to query their understanding of the 'auto slats' and verify that we could operate with compliance under the MEL 27-17. After some quick assessment; maintenance agreed and asked PIC to write up the malfunction. And we did and started taxiing out for departure. Within 50 ft on aircraft movement the 'auto slats' light went out (no longer illuminated). We checked the warning panel lights to confirm no bulbs were burned out and all lighting in the panel illuminated normally. 15 - 20 minutes into the flight we received conflicting messages from dispatch. So I (right seat - pilot flying) continued to fly and handle ATC communications while PIC called (or answered a call from) dispatch. Apparently; we all had missed the small print in MEL 27-17 that the relief was only for the scenario where the 'auto slats' light failed to illuminate. We continued to destination with passengers and throughout the process; especially prior to taxing the PIC had our flight attendant keep the passengers informed of the on going situation; in a general way. At no time did we exceed 270 KIAS to destination and the 'auto slats' enunciator light never re-illuminated. As a personal aside; I was not concerned about the safety of the operation; especially after the 'auto slats' light extinguished. Taking time by all participants to read and discuss MEL relief and make certain there is in fact relief; if not; shut down the aircraft and make arrangements for alternate passenger accommodations.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DA2000 flight crew and a Maintenance Control Technician describe a MEL misunderstanding that results in the aircraft being dispatched inappropriately. An auto slats light had illuminated during engine start; indicating that the Auto Slat System was inoperative but the MEL was for the auto slats light being inoperative. The light extinguished during taxi out.

Narrative: During right engine start PIC noticed 'Auto Slats' warning panel annunciator light illuminated. PIC asked me (SIC) to look up the malfunction in the Abnormal Checklist as he continued with starting the left engine. The checklist reference seemed to relate to actions if 'Auto Slats' enunciator illuminated in flight and the note referenced not to exceed 270 KIAS while in flight. The 'Auto Slats' light remained on. PIC suggested finding and resetting the left and right 'Auto Slats' Circuit Breakers in an attempt to reboot a possible stray instruction in the computer generated warning. No luck. PIC then thought it best to see if there was relief in the MEL for 'Auto Slats'. He quickly located MEL 27-17 in Section 27 - Flight Controls. I then looked up what he found. PIC then called Maintenance Control to query their understanding of the 'Auto Slats' and verify that we could operate with compliance under the MEL 27-17. After some quick assessment; Maintenance agreed and asked PIC to write up the malfunction. And we did and started taxiing out for departure. Within 50 FT on aircraft movement the 'Auto Slats' light went out (no longer illuminated). We checked the warning panel lights to confirm no bulbs were burned out and all lighting in the panel illuminated normally. 15 - 20 minutes into the flight we received conflicting messages from Dispatch. So I (right seat - pilot flying) continued to fly and handle ATC communications while PIC called (or answered a call from) Dispatch. Apparently; we all had missed the small print in MEL 27-17 that the relief was only for the scenario where the 'Auto Slats' light failed to illuminate. We continued to destination with passengers and throughout the process; especially prior to taxing the PIC had our flight attendant keep the passengers informed of the on going situation; in a general way. At no time did we exceed 270 KIAS to destination and the 'Auto Slats' enunciator light never re-illuminated. As a personal aside; I was not concerned about the safety of the operation; especially after the 'Auto Slats' light extinguished. Taking time by all participants to read and discuss MEL relief and make certain there is in fact relief; if not; shut down the aircraft and make arrangements for alternate passenger accommodations.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.