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B737 captain reported poor lighting of the aircraft center console.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1629926 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201903 |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Cockpit Lighting |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe |
Narrative:
With all the talk about the maximum MCAS (maneuvering characteristics augmentation system) system and looking at the runaway stabilizer qrc (quick reference checklist); the 737 stab trim cutout switches are not adequately illuminated. While it is easy to assume that you would find the switches from muscle memory; if you are in an upset; at night; with a poorly lit cockpit; one shouldn't assume that you could find the stab trim cutout switches to cut off a runaway trim situation or to deal with an errant MCAS system. Couple in the fact that it is a similar two-part action to cutout the trim switches as well as engine cutout switches; once again; at night; in an upset; from a human factors standpoint; one may inadvertently try to or actually cut off the engine switches instead. This is another design flaw with the 737 that needs to be looked at.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B737 Captain reported poor lighting of the aircraft center console.
Narrative: With all the talk about the MAX MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) System and looking at the Runaway Stabilizer QRC (Quick Reference Checklist); the 737 Stab Trim Cutout switches are not adequately illuminated. While it is easy to assume that you would find the switches from muscle memory; if you are in an upset; at night; with a poorly lit cockpit; one shouldn't assume that you could find the stab trim cutout switches to cut off a runaway trim situation or to deal with an errant MCAS system. Couple in the fact that it is a similar two-part action to cutout the trim switches as well as engine cutout switches; once again; at night; in an upset; from a human factors standpoint; one may inadvertently try to or actually cut off the engine switches instead. This is another design flaw with the 737 that needs to be looked at.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.