Narrative:

During cockpit preparation; I was preparing the overhead panel when I noticed that the secondary gear down indicator panel and the cockpit voice recorder panel seemed to have had their positions swapped. I brought this to the attention of the captain. We discussed whether the panels had to be in their 'usual' locations on the overhead panel. We then called maintenance. Two mechanics arrived. We showed them the two panels and first asked if the panels seemed to be swapped; and if it was ok to take the airplane this way. The mechanics said the panels were usually swapped places and proceeded to unscrew the panels; swap their position; and screw the panels back in. We did not get an answer from the mechanics about whether it is required to have the panels in the same position for every flight. We did not make a logbook entry because our initial question what whether the panels; being swapped was a problem or not. The mechanics said they would take care of the logbook. However; no entries were ever made. Today; I still do not know if having those two panels swapped position is a mechanical irregularity or not. Everything required for flight was there; just not in its usual position.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Two A300 flight deck overhead panels were in locations other than typical as identified during the preflight setup. This condition was addressed verbally to the Local Maintenance technicians; who then proceeded to reposition the panels. It was reported that no logbook entry was made; and it appears that no maintenance manual was referenced.

Narrative: During cockpit preparation; I was preparing the overhead panel when I noticed that the secondary gear down indicator panel and the cockpit voice recorder panel seemed to have had their positions swapped. I brought this to the attention of the Captain. We discussed whether the panels had to be in their 'usual' locations on the overhead panel. We then called Maintenance. Two mechanics arrived. We showed them the two panels and first asked if the panels seemed to be swapped; and if it was ok to take the airplane this way. The mechanics said the panels were usually swapped places and proceeded to unscrew the panels; swap their position; and screw the panels back in. We did not get an answer from the mechanics about whether it is required to have the panels in the same position for every flight. We did not make a logbook entry because our initial question what whether the panels; being swapped was a problem or not. The mechanics said they would take care of the logbook. However; no entries were ever made. Today; I still do not know if having those two panels swapped position is a mechanical irregularity or not. Everything required for flight was there; just not in its usual position.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.