A B757-200 captain reported both map lights (grimes lights) were missing at the captain's and first ...

Attributes
ACN	935470
Time
Date	201103
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B757-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Parked
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Cockpit Lighting
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200 Flight Crew Total 15000 Flight Crew Type 500
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural Maintenance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

I departed the airport when it was dark and I used the light override function for most of my preflight duties. I noticed after departure that both small map lights (grimes lights) were missing for the captain and first officer; but the jumpseat light was installed. I didn't know if it was a plug-in light or hardwired; but I could not locate them in the cockpit. I sent an ACARS to maintenance control to advise; in case they were already noted [as] missing. A write-up was created for attention at destination airport. Maintenance removed both [captain's/first officer's] sidewall panels and found the lights stuffed inside and on. This generated considerable heat and was a potential fire hazard. It was found that the aircraft had maintenance 10-days earlier and the lights were apparently stuffed in the panel during cockpit paint touch-up. Fortunately a fire was avoided and the lights were reinstalled in their brackets.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B757-200 Captain reported both map lights (grimes lights) were missing at the Captain's and First Office's position. Company mechanics removed both sidewalls and found the lights 'on' and stuffed inside the cockpit sidewalls generating considerable heat and a fire hazard.

Narrative: I departed the airport when it was dark and I used the light override function for most of my preflight duties. I noticed after departure that both small map lights (grimes lights) were missing for the Captain and First Officer; but the jumpseat light was installed. I didn't know if it was a plug-in light or hardwired; but I could not locate them in the cockpit. I sent an ACARS to Maintenance Control to advise; in case they were already noted [as] missing. A write-up was created for attention at destination airport. Maintenance removed both [Captain's/First Officer's] sidewall panels and found the lights stuffed inside and on. This generated considerable heat and was a potential fire hazard. It was found that the aircraft had maintenance 10-days earlier and the lights were apparently stuffed in the panel during cockpit paint touch-up. Fortunately a fire was avoided and the lights were reinstalled in their brackets.

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.

A B757-200 captain reported both map lights (grimes lights) were missing at the captain's and first office's position. Company mechanics removed both sidewalls and found the lights 'on' and stuffed inside the cockpit sidewalls generating considerable heat and a fire hazard.