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After pilot noticed a seat-mounted red emergency escape path light lens missing; along with the light bulb; mechanic performs an emergency exit (east/east) light test. Three seat mounted lights illuminated extremely dimly. Mechanic finds twelve bulbs that were 12-volt type instead of the 6-volt bulbs required for east/east battery packs on B737-800 aircraft.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 978610 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201111 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737-800 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Parked |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Emergency Floor Lighting |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Maintenance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural FAR |
Narrative:
During preflight I happened to find a seat mounted; red emergency escape path light lens missing; along with the bulb at seat 13D. When the maintenance technician arrived; he wanted to turn on the emergency exit lights as a check. I then noticed that three seats in business class had their seat mounted lights illuminated; but extremely dim. I also put those seats in the logbook for repair. The maintenance technician advised me that the 12 bulbs for the 3 seats; were all the incorrect bulbs...we assumed the dim ones were 12 volt. The emergency exit light battery packs in the B737 are 6-volts; hence the dimness. Upon further reflection; I seem to remember numerous times in the past (at least half a dozen) where I have noticed during maintenance light tests for similar issues as described above; other dim lights as I witnessed on this aircraft. I am concerned as to the correct bulbs installed not just the 737 fleet; but now; I am also concerned about the legality of our air carrier's entire fleet of aircraft. The bulbs involved look exactly the same; and the part number on the bulbs requires a magnifying glass to view; due the tiny size of the bulbs.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: After pilot noticed a seat-mounted red Emergency Escape Path light lens missing; along with the light bulb; Mechanic performs an Emergency Exit (E/E) Light Test. Three seat mounted lights illuminated extremely dimly. Mechanic finds twelve bulbs that were 12-volt type instead of the 6-volt bulbs required for E/E Battery packs on B737-800 aircraft.
Narrative: During preflight I happened to find a seat mounted; red Emergency Escape Path light lens missing; along with the bulb at seat 13D. When the Maintenance Technician arrived; he wanted to turn on the Emergency Exit lights as a check. I then noticed that three seats in business class had their seat mounted lights illuminated; but extremely dim. I also put those seats in the Logbook for repair. The Maintenance Technician advised me that the 12 bulbs for the 3 seats; were all the incorrect bulbs...we assumed the dim ones were 12 volt. The Emergency Exit light battery packs in the B737 are 6-volts; hence the dimness. Upon further reflection; I seem to remember numerous times in the past (at least half a dozen) where I have noticed during maintenance light tests for similar issues as described above; other dim lights as I witnessed on this aircraft. I am concerned as to the correct bulbs installed not just the 737 fleet; but now; I am also concerned about the legality of our Air Carrier's entire fleet of aircraft. The bulbs involved look exactly the same; and the part number on the bulbs requires a magnifying glass to view; due the tiny size of the bulbs.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.