Narrative:

We received a 737 aircraft released with MEL for a leading edge slat transit light that would illuminate at cruise altitude. In the MEL book under the maintenance procedure column; item number 3 showed the aircraft symbol signifying a special maintenance procedure was required. It was clear from the aircraft itself and the sign-off in the corrective action block of the maintenance logbook that the procedure was in fact accomplished. However; the special procedure block on the maintenance log book MEL release placard inside the logbook cover was blank. I radioed maintenance who promptly came out to the aircraft. I showed the mechanic the discrepancy; and he took off with the logbook. A few minutes later another person; a maintenance supervisor I believe (wearing a collared shirt and slacks instead of coveralls); returned with our correct logbook. He showed me the MEL manual pages 14 and 15 that explain special procedure #1 (pulling & collaring circuit breaker's) and special procedure #2 (deactivating components). He explained that these were the two situations that required an entry in the maintenance log book special procedures block; and the entry; if required for example; would be 'sp #2.' he said that neither situation applied to our aircraft which was correct. I read the two pages to be sure I understood what he was telling me. There is no mention on those two pages of the need to make the maintenance log book entry for other special procedures required by MEL. He said we were good to go; and the first officer and I believed him. Next day (yesterday); different city; different aircraft; and different MEL also having the aircraft symbol next to an item in the maintenance procedure column signifying a special procedure; (but again; still not special procedure #1 or #2 as explained above). This time; however; the special procedure block on the maintenance log book MEL release placard was filled in. This was in conflict with what we were told the previous morning. Out comes the MEL manual; and I scoured section 1 - general. On page X; the aircraft symbol is explained and indicates that a special maintenance procedure must be accomplished; but no mention of the maintenance log book placard. Page Y does explain the maintenance log book MEL release placard; and item 1.D. Is pretty specific: 'applicable to MEL items with the aircraft symbol in the procedure column or when special procedure #2 is accomplished. Enter air traffic area chapter number; MEL item number and appropriate alphabetical sub-item character (if applicable); i.e. 21-1A or sp#2 as applicable.' (the capitalized 'or' is my emphasis.) MEL special maintenance procedure & placarding instructions are located in three different places in the MEL manual. Pages Z and west offer only part of the explanation. Pages X & Y have more information. If the instructions/explanation were located in one place; I believe that neither I nor the maintenance supervisor would have made the mistake. I submit two recommendations. Move the special procedure explanations to one location; and make sure all pilots and maintenance personnel are trained/reminded of the different types of MEL special maintenance procedures.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B737 Captain reported being confused and not understanding MEL Special Maintenance Procedure and Placarding instructions because they were located in three different MEL Sections. Each Section contains partial instructions.

Narrative: We received a 737 aircraft released with MEL for a Leading Edge Slat Transit light that would illuminate at cruise altitude. In the MEL book under the Maintenance Procedure column; item number 3 showed the aircraft symbol signifying a Special Maintenance Procedure was required. It was clear from the aircraft itself and the sign-off in the Corrective Action block of the maintenance logbook that the procedure was in fact accomplished. However; the Special Procedure block on the Maintenance Log Book MEL Release Placard inside the logbook cover was blank. I radioed Maintenance who promptly came out to the aircraft. I showed the Mechanic the discrepancy; and he took off with the logbook. A few minutes later another person; a Maintenance Supervisor I believe (wearing a collared shirt and slacks instead of coveralls); returned with our correct logbook. He showed me the MEL Manual pages 14 and 15 that explain Special Procedure #1 (pulling & collaring CB's) and Special Procedure #2 (deactivating components). He explained that these were the two situations that required an entry in the Maintenance Log Book Special Procedures block; and the entry; if required for example; would be 'SP #2.' He said that neither situation applied to our aircraft which was correct. I read the two pages to be sure I understood what he was telling me. There is no mention on those two pages of the need to make the Maintenance Log Book entry for other special procedures required by MEL. He said we were good to go; and the First Officer and I believed him. Next day (yesterday); different city; different aircraft; and different MEL also having the aircraft symbol next to an item in the Maintenance Procedure column signifying a Special Procedure; (but again; still not Special Procedure #1 or #2 as explained above). This time; however; the Special Procedure block on the Maintenance Log Book MEL Release Placard was filled in. This was in conflict with what we were told the previous morning. Out comes the MEL Manual; and I scoured Section 1 - General. On page X; the aircraft symbol is explained and indicates that a special maintenance procedure must be accomplished; but no mention of the Maintenance Log Book Placard. Page Y does explain the Maintenance Log Book MEL Release Placard; and item 1.D. is pretty specific: 'Applicable to MEL items with the aircraft symbol in the procedure column OR when Special Procedure #2 is accomplished. Enter ATA Chapter number; MEL item number and appropriate alphabetical sub-item character (if applicable); i.e. 21-1A OR SP#2 as applicable.' (The capitalized 'OR' is my emphasis.) MEL Special Maintenance Procedure & Placarding instructions are located in three different places in the MEL Manual. Pages Z and W offer only part of the explanation. Pages X & Y have more information. If the instructions/explanation were located in one place; I believe that neither I nor the maintenance supervisor would have made the mistake. I submit two recommendations. Move the Special Procedure explanations to one location; and make sure all pilots and maintenance personnel are trained/reminded of the different types of MEL Special Maintenance Procedures.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.