Narrative:

I issued MEL 34-61-02 for an inoperative #2 mcdu. When I returned to work after two days off; a non-compliance report was handed to me. I thought this was the correct application of the MEL. It was pointed out to me that I was wrong. Even though it does not state that MEL 34-61-02 is not to be used for an inoperative #2 mcdu; the MEL 34-61-02 states that mcdu #1 may be inoperative provided: a) VHF comm 1 and 2 operated normally.b) VHF navigation 1 and 2 operate normally.c) all ccd buttons; knobs and touch pad operate normally on both sides. D) all display units operate normally; and e) approach minimums or operating procedures do not require its use. I read this about mcdu 1 and thought that mcdu 2 could be MEL'd with no exceptions. The MEL states quantity installed 2 -- quantity required for dispatch 1; I placed one on MEL. The MEL does not state: mcdu 2 - per 14 crash fire rescue equipment; the mcdu 2 must operate normally for dispatch. The MEL does not state that it is only for mcdu 1. The MEL requires one to use reverse logic to determine that mcdu 2 cannot be MEL'd. I reread the MEL. I checked the erj-190 aircraft history to verify that situation was corrected. I sent an email to the MEL manager requesting changes to the MEL that; in my opinion; would prevent this situation from recurring.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Maintenance Controller suggests revising MEL Chapter 34-61-02 to specifically state the ERJ-190 MCDU #2 cannot be deferred under the same section of the MEL that MCDU #1 can. Controller notes that one must use reverse logic to determine that MCDU #2 cannot be MEL'd and must operate normally for dispatch.

Narrative: I issued MEL 34-61-02 for an inoperative #2 MCDU. When I returned to work after two days off; a Non-Compliance Report was handed to me. I thought this was the correct application of the MEL. It was pointed out to me that I was wrong. Even though it does not state that MEL 34-61-02 is not to be used for an inoperative #2 MCDU; the MEL 34-61-02 states that MCDU #1 may be inoperative provided: a) VHF COMM 1 and 2 operated normally.b) VHF NAV 1 and 2 operate normally.c) All CCD buttons; knobs and touch pad operate normally on both sides. d) All Display Units operate normally; and e) Approach minimums or operating procedures do not require its use. I read this about MCDU 1 and thought that MCDU 2 could be MEL'd with no exceptions. The MEL states QUANTITY INSTALLED 2 -- QUANTITY REQUIRED FOR DISPATCH 1; I placed one on MEL. The MEL DOES NOT STATE: MCDU 2 - Per 14 CFR; the MCDU 2 must operate normally for dispatch. The MEL does not state that it is only for MCDU 1. The MEL requires one to use reverse logic to determine that MCDU 2 cannot be MEL'd. I reread the MEL. I checked the ERJ-190 aircraft history to verify that situation was corrected. I sent an email to the MEL Manager requesting changes to the MEL that; in my opinion; would prevent this situation from recurring.

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.