Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
MEL; Aircraft
During the arrival phase of flight. We both noticed the entire overhead panel was completely dark. As I was the first officer attempted to adjust the overhead lights. This was unsuccessful. We then reviewed the MEL. When we reviewed the MEL section prior to our 1st departure; we were under the impression that one portion of the cockpit lighting system was not working. It wasn't until the descent phase of this flight that we realized the entire overhead panel was completely dark. After we reviewed the MEL section again; it was determined that the wrong MEL was applied. The MEL below the one used carried the condition that the aircraft couldn't be flown at night. I can't imagine how anyone could see the condition of the overhead panel and apply MEL 33-11-XY. The technician that responded in ZZZ was able to fix the problem in ten minutes. This aircraft was in maintenance in ZZZ1 and ZZZ2. Why wasn't the simple fix accomplished on one of these visits instead of passing a potentially dangerous condition to the next guy?If there was an emergency or QRH procedure at night in this aircraft it could have had dire consequences.
A Captain of a Bombardier CRJ-700 reported that the entire overhead panel was completely dark.