A maintenance technician applied a minimum equipment list (MEL) reference to the pilot log write-ups...

Narrative:

Pilot inbound write up for left engine hydraulic on and center electric 1 hydraulic lights on overhead panel extinguished in flight. Myself and the local technician applied MEL 33-11-01 to both of the above inbound write-ups considering the write-ups for both [were] for the background lighting for both of the switches per the B757 amm [aircraft maintenance manual] and wiring manual; but the above MEL mentions that in the remarks that the individual switches cannot be MEL'd. It must be noted that this light is controlled by the rheostat after it is pushed in and is only an info light for the crew. The MEL was updated and not given the proper consideration when updated for what is the function of each light.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Maintenance Technician applied a Minimum Equipment List (MEL) reference to the pilot log write-ups for panel lighting but was confused by the restriction against using the MEL reference for individual switch lights.

Narrative: Pilot inbound write up for Left Engine Hydraulic on and Center Electric 1 Hydraulic lights on overhead panel extinguished in flight. Myself and the Local Technician applied MEL 33-11-01 to both of the above inbound write-ups considering the write-ups for both [were] for the background lighting for both of the switches per the B757 AMM [Aircraft Maintenance Manual] and wiring manual; but the above MEL mentions that in the remarks that the individual switches cannot be MEL'd. It must be noted that this light is controlled by the rheostat after it is pushed in and is only an info light for the crew. The MEL was updated and not given the proper consideration when updated for what is the function of each light.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1061413
Time
Date	201301
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	CPR.Airport
State Reference	WY
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B757-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Parked
Component
Aircraft Component	Cockpit Lighting
Person 1
Function	Technician
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural MEL Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

A maintenance technician applied a minimum equipment list (MEL) reference to the pilot log write-ups for panel lighting but was confused by the restriction against using the MEL reference for individual switch lights.