B717 (Formerly MD-95)
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Maintenance Technician 15
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
Aircraft was scheduled for our Station to perform a Service Check; (Task Card # XXX). I performed the external lights portion of the Task Card which involved the activation of the NOSE taxi lights. The landing (LDG) position; or hi-beam; selection was inoperative; only taxi (lo-beam) was working. After completion of the Service Check inspection; I began the re-lamping of the Nose taxi bulb; following Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) procedures. I then performed the Operational Check of the installation as outlined in the AMM which was satisfactory; then I signed-off the work performed per the AMM in this case ATA [Chapter] 33-41. I do understand the issue of complacency and I do my best to avoid that kind of oversight. But; because of this incident; I will be more aware of my inspections and RE-inspections of my job task completions. [Discrepancy] was corrected.
Reporter stated that a pilot had mentioned to a downline Station Mechanic after arrival; that the taxi (low beam) and landing (high beam) intensities appeared to be reversed from what he had selected in the cockpit. The single; three-position switch has an 'Off'; 'Taxi' and 'Landing' selection. Both lamps are mounted on the Nose Landing Gear (NLG). A lot of the 'Common' electrical wires from the two light assemblies have been found not connected to the original terminal positions associated with the cockpit switch selections.Reporter stated he has fifteen years experience; replaced many bulbs and reconnected many 'Common' terminal wires. He had verified the taxi (lo-beam) and landing (hi-beam) settings came on with the switch position selected after replacing the hi-beam bulb due to a broken filament. He was told the downline Station Mechanic had to reposition the 'Common' wires because they were apparently reversed. The aircraft operated for ten days after he had replaced the hi-beam lamp bulb before he was informed of the discrepancy.
A Line Mechanic was informed a B717 flight crew had noticed the lo-beam (TAXI) and hi-beam (LANDING) Nose taxi lights appeared to be reversed from the position selected in the cockpit. He had replaced the Nose taxi light bulb ten days earlier.