Narrative:

Upon accomplishing the overnight check for an airbus aircraft; I noticed the sidewall lighting panel at seats 15DEF was dented; warped at its corners and was slightly hanging down. I tried to find a replacement panel because it was beyond repair; only to find that we didn't own such a panel. Upon reviewing the non essential equipment/furnishings (nef) list I determined that the panel should be secured as to not accidentally fall onto passengers. I proceeded to secure the panel and made the appropriate log entry for the deferral. I don't recall having taped over a portion of that row's oxygen panel; but I have been alerted that the corner had been taped over which may or may not have affected the panel opening in the event of an emergency. I am not particularly sure of how it was discovered. The details have been vague to me. I am not not sure what actions were taken. Perhaps the tape was removed?the nef program is great for generic cabin; non-airworthy deferral items. However I think we need a better way to establish maintenance actions required in order to put an item on nef. Despite searching the maintenance procedures manual (mpm) and related manuals and nef lists; I could not find anything that specified the maintenance procedures required in the nef like an MEL procedure would specifically indicate. Perhaps I was looking in the wrong place? I utilized my common sense in having to secure the panel; but I had not realized that I may or may not have taped over something essential. I am not trying to look for someone else to blame in order to vindicate myself; but perhaps I am just looking for an improvement in this system.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Two Line mechanics report about two separate cabin sidewall cove light panels that were secured with tape that also prevented release of the passenger oxygen masks on the same Airbus aircraft. Both panels were deferred on different dates under a Non-Essential Function/Furnishings (NEF) procedure; instead of a standard MEL.

Narrative: Upon accomplishing the Overnight Check for an Airbus aircraft; I noticed the sidewall lighting panel at seats 15DEF was dented; warped at its corners and was slightly hanging down. I tried to find a replacement panel because it was beyond repair; only to find that we didn't own such a panel. Upon reviewing the Non Essential Equipment/Furnishings (NEF) List I determined that the panel should be secured as to not accidentally fall onto passengers. I proceeded to secure the panel and made the appropriate log entry for the deferral. I don't recall having taped over a portion of that row's oxygen panel; but I have been alerted that the corner had been taped over which may or may not have affected the panel opening in the event of an emergency. I am not particularly sure of how it was discovered. The details have been vague to me. I am not not sure what actions were taken. Perhaps the tape was removed?The NEF program is great for generic cabin; non-airworthy deferral items. However I think we need a better way to establish Maintenance actions required in order to put an item on NEF. Despite searching the Maintenance Procedures Manual (MPM) and related manuals and NEF lists; I could not find anything that specified the maintenance procedures required in the NEF like an MEL procedure would specifically indicate. Perhaps I was looking in the wrong place? I utilized my common sense in having to secure the panel; but I had not realized that I may or may not have taped over something essential. I am not trying to look for someone else to blame in order to vindicate myself; but perhaps I am just looking for an improvement in this system.

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.