MD-83
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
The First Officer was not yet at airplane; so I accomplished the origination preflight. During the preflight; we were also dealing with several maintenance issues; including a broken VSI indicator and 2 of 4 brake wear indicators that were at or below the limits. During the Stall Warning test; I observed the aural warning and both Push to Inhibit Switches illuminate; but with the distractions of the other issues; I didn't notice that the Captain's white switch cover with the words 'Stick Shaker Push to Inhibit' printed on it was missing. It wasn't until after level off that I noticed the yellow cover showing [which should have been] behind the missing white cover. The switch still operated; just the cover was missing. I entered the discrepancy in the logbook and the switch was replaced at our destination.
[Narrative 2 contained no additional information.]
While distracted by unassociated maintenance considerations during his preflight; the Captain of an MD-83 failed to notice a missing switch cover until at cruise.