Date: 201511
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: B737-700
Operator: Air Carrier
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Aircraft component: Engine Fuel Filter
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Aircraft
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: We were climbing to FL230. I was the PM. We had just confirmed a clearance when the master caution illuminated. This was caused by the number one fuel filter bypass light. I advised the FO to continue to fly; and I started to use my QRH to run the checklist. However; I went to the QRH and found the engine oil filter bypass checklist. I didn't verify with the FO the correct checklist; but instead started to run the checklist.As I completed the checklist; I was instructed to secure the engine as the light had not extinguished. I advised Center we had to shut down an engine; and requested a lower altitude. We also asked to return to [departure airport] as we were only 75 miles away. We gave ATC our souls on board and fuel on board.I briefed the flight attendants and the passengers of our plans; and sent a message to Dispatch via ACARS.During our descent; the FO queried the checklist we had used; and it was then I discovered I had used the wrong checklist. I then read the fuel filter bypass checklist. We discussed whether we should restart the engine and continue to [departure airport]. I decided that due to the note about possible erratic engine operation and flameout due to fuel contamination; it was safer to continue with the number one engine secured; as the weather was good. We used the one engine inoperative landing checklist; and landed without incident.Upon identifying the fuel filter bypass light; I should have asked to the FO to confirm whether we were using the correct checklist to manage the malfunction. By having both of us in the loop on the QRH; I don't believe this would have happened.


Second narrative: I was the PF on a daytime flight. On climb out we got a master caution light. The Captain announced that we had a 'filter bypass' light and I glanced over and saw the light. Being relatively new to the aircraft; I would have had to think for a second about which type of bypass it was (i.e. oil or fuel); but the Captain immediately told me to continue flying the aircraft and he would get the QRH out and run the oil filter bypass checklist. We slowly retarded the throttle; as directed by the QRH. The light was still on; so then it told us to run the engine shutdown checklist.We completed the engine shutdown checklist and the Captain [advised] ATC [of the situation and] we would like to return [to departure airport] as we were still pretty close. He also briefed the flight attendants and advised Dispatch.As the Captain was doing those things; my mind went back to the filter bypass light. I couldn't remember right offhand where the other bypass annunciators are; but these are in close proximity to the fuel pump switches. As I looked up again at the overhead panel; I said to the Captain; 'Is that an oil filter bypass or a fuel filter bypass?' He immediately recognized the error and said it was a fuel filter bypass light. He turned to the fuel filter bypass checklist in the QRH and we ran it. At this point we were already headed [back] as an emergency aircraft so we were committed to the plan to return. I raised the question of whether we should restart the engine since it wasn't a required shut down in the correct checklist. The Captain said he would like to keep it shut down since we were close; weather was not an issue and we could still have potential issues with the engine due to the fuel filter bypass status.We got the ATIS; set up for and briefed the approach and landing. Once the briefing was complete; checklists accomplished and we were on vectors for the approach; we transferred the aircraft from me to the Captain for the single engine landing. At some point ATC asked us if we wanted equipment standing by and we said yes as a precaution. The subsequent approach and landing were without incident. We taxied to the gate and accomplished the parking checklist. Maintenance was performed on the aircraft and an MEL applied related to the fuel filter bypass light and we again departed for. The subsequent flights had no further issues.More familiarity with non-normal annunciations. Taking the time to make sure the proper checklist is used with similar checklists. I believe a contributing factor is that the fuel filter bypass light only says 'filter bypass' and the oil filter bypass annunciation only comes up on the upper Display Unit (DU) during that non-normal situation. (I.e.; it doesn't annunciate when you do the lights test so you basically never see it until you have it in the air.)


Synopsis: B737-700 flight crew reported running the wrong checklist in response to a fuel filter bypass light master caution; resulting in an unnecessary inflight engine shutdown.