Date: 201407
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Night
Aircraft: MD-11
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Cargo / Freight / Delivery
Flight phase: Taxi; Cruise
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ; Ramp ZZZ
Aircraft component: Autopilot
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Dispatcher
Reporter qualification: Dispatch Dispatcher
Human factors: Confusion; Training / Qualification; Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL
Detector: Person Dispatch
When detected: Aircraft In Service At Gate; In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Procedure; Company Policy
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: Flight pushes back. Fifteen minutes later the crew advises via ACARS need to add MEL 22-10-01; Number 2 A/P inop; aircraft now CAT II.  MEL not showing in system yet; advised crew waiting for Maintenance Control to enter MEL before I could give time/initials. Shortly thereafter; I contacted Maintenance Control due to no MEL showing in system yet; Maintenance Control advises they don't know anything about a problem with the flight. Minutes later an MEL added in system; at same time release amendment and time/initials being sent to crew.  Maintenance Control calls to advise that it was a pilot discovered mechanical and has crew conferenced in on phone.  Crew advises they received the ACARS amendment; added further amendment by voice to include the pilot discovered mechanical control number. Thirty five minutes after this evolution started flight takes off.  Maintenance Control then attempts to add a second MEL 20-03-02 CAT II Operation: Restricted due to Repetitive or Chronic Autoland Discrepancies.  This downgrades the aircraft; which is already airborne to CAT I.   I called Maintenance Control to question whether MEL should be added and CAT status changed on an aircraft already airborne.  Maintenance Control advises that it's just an administrative MEL; that they had done research after the initial pilot discovered mechanical problem and discovered that this was a repetitive issue on this aircraft.  I asked him if this should have been done while the aircraft was still on ground; he responded that they would just remove MEL 20-03-02; but it would be added again as soon as the plane lands.  I then asked Maintenance Control what the CAT status of the aircraft was. He replied that it was back to a CAT II; but would be downgraded upon arrival. This causes me concern because if there is a problem that could prevent the aircraft from being able to shoot a CAT II approach; then the crew needs to know about it; regardless of what the paperwork says.  Maintenance Control removes MEL 20-03-02.  I advised Duty Officer of situation; he concurs there is an issue with what has just transpired.  I relayed same information to Duty Manager. He calls Maintenance Control C3 to find out what the exact situation with the aircraft is. The Duty Manager advises that Maintenance Control is now saying that the autopilot issue may not be a repeat item; it's subject to interpretation once the crew writes it up in the logbook upon arrival.  In the meantime; aircraft is considered in CAT II status.  MEL 20-03-02 will not be added until arrival; if needed per write up and maintenance interpretation.If there are multiple MELs which may need to be applied or research that needs to be done as part of a MEL addition during the pilot discovered mechanical process; Maintenance Control needs to ensure that entire process is completed prior to letting the aircraft continue and get airborne.




Synopsis: A MD-11 Dispatcher describes the Maintenance Department actions before and after departure which would have downgraded the aircraft to a CAT I status inflight; but relented until the aircraft landed with an open maintenance item.