Narrative:

I was informed by the manager of maintenance control an MEL I had authorized was being reviewed. I received a call from a ZZZ line technician requesting a MEL on a B737-900 aircraft. He indicated the # 1 aft main tank fuel low pressure light on the P5-2 overhead fueling panel had not come on for five seconds after the # 1 aft main tank fuel pump switch was place in the 'off' position. He also said he found during his review of the discrepancy the 'press to test' function of the fuel pressure light was working; leading me to believe the light was functioning. He requested MEL 28-3D for the main tank fuel boost pump low pressure warning light. I informed him the MEL 28-3D would not be the appropriate MEL and we should be using MEL 28-1C for the main tank aft fuel boost pump. I told him this because the light 'press to test' functioned; which leads me to believe the light was not the inoperative component. Previous reviews fellow controllers had received regarding MEL 28-3D and their experience with the fuel pressure warning light working; determined that MEL 28-3D covered only the fuel pressure warning light. The council all of us received from our management after these incidents led me to believe if the light 'press to test' function worked; then the fuel boost pumps (main tanks) 28-1C was the appropriate MEL.between the previous reviews and the time of this incident the MEL manual had been updated to include the other components in the fuel pressure warning light system. The maintenance operations manager let us know verbally of this change. Although my manager had briefed us on this change; it did not come to mind at the time and I did not notice the change when I reviewed the MEL 28-3D. The briefing I had received regarding the prior reviews and my determination not to make the same mistake caused me to be hesitant to apply MEL 28-3D.the technician went over the information I gave him with another technician and agreeing with me he performed the procedures required for MEL 28-1C and I authorized the MEL. At no time did I intentionally apply the inappropriate MEL. Because of the fact the 'press to test' function of the fuel pressure warning light system worked; I believed the appropriate MEL was 28-1C. In response to this review; I have revisited MEL 28-3D and see the MEL covers the fuel pressure warning light system and not just the light.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Maintenance Manager reports authorizing a deferral using MEL 28-1C for a B737-900 with a # 1 Aft Main tank Fuel Low Pressure Light on the P5-2 Overhead Fueling Panel not coming 'On' for five seconds after the # 1 Aft Main tank Fuel Pump switch was turned 'Off.' Verbal information from his Manager was different from the updated MEL requiring deferral under MEL 28-3D instead of MEL 28-1C for the pump.

Narrative: I was informed by the Manager of Maintenance Control an MEL I had authorized was being reviewed. I received a call from a ZZZ Line Technician requesting a MEL on a B737-900 aircraft. He indicated the # 1 aft Main tank fuel Low Pressure Light on the P5-2 overhead Fueling Panel had not come on for five seconds after the # 1 aft Main tank fuel pump switch was place in the 'Off' position. He also said he found during his review of the discrepancy the 'Press to Test' function of the fuel pressure light was working; leading me to believe the light was functioning. He requested MEL 28-3D for the Main Tank Fuel Boost Pump Low Pressure Warning Light. I informed him the MEL 28-3D would not be the appropriate MEL and we should be using MEL 28-1C for the Main tank aft Fuel Boost Pump. I told him this because the light 'Press to Test' functioned; which leads me to believe the light was not the inoperative component. Previous reviews fellow Controllers had received regarding MEL 28-3D and their experience with the Fuel Pressure Warning Light working; determined that MEL 28-3D covered only the Fuel Pressure Warning Light. The council all of us received from our Management after these incidents led me to believe if the light 'Press to Test' function worked; then the Fuel Boost Pumps (Main Tanks) 28-1C was the appropriate MEL.Between the previous reviews and the time of this incident the MEL Manual had been updated to include the other components in the Fuel Pressure Warning Light System. The Maintenance Operations Manager let us know verbally of this change. Although my Manager had briefed us on this change; it did not come to mind at the time and I did not notice the change when I reviewed the MEL 28-3D. The briefing I had received regarding the prior reviews and my determination not to make the same mistake caused me to be hesitant to apply MEL 28-3D.The Technician went over the information I gave him with another Technician and agreeing with me he performed the procedures required for MEL 28-1C and I authorized the MEL. At no time did I intentionally apply the inappropriate MEL. Because of the fact the 'Press to Test' function of the Fuel Pressure Warning Light system worked; I believed the appropriate MEL was 28-1C. In response to this review; I have revisited MEL 28-3D and see the MEL covers the Fuel Pressure Warning Light System and not just the light.

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.