B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft; Human Factors
During preflight; I noticed that the Flight Data Recorder 'OFF' light was extinguished. Initially I thought the light bulbs were burned out so I pressed the light and the lights came on and I verified with the light test switch that the light was operating. I know that during preflight the 'OFF' light is supposed to be illuminated on the ground with the engines not running. We entered the item into the AML and contacted Maintenance who subsequently sent a mechanic and ran the test. While troubleshooting the issue; it was discovered that the Flight Data Recorder was missing/not installed on the aircraft entirely.
B737 Captain reported the flight recorder light was inoperative; which led to the discovery that the flight data recorder was not installed.