Why does nobody talk about how cabin lights can mess with your night vision checks?

I was working a late shift at a regional airport in Ohio last month, doing a walk-around on a CRJ before its early morning flight. The ramp lights were off to save power, so I used my flashlight, but some of the cabin lights were still on inside the plane from a cleaning crew. I went to check a wingtip for ice after a cold snap, and those lights from the windows made a glare on the wet tarmac that hid a thin layer of frost near the fuel vent. I almost missed it, and if that plane had taken off, that frost could have messed with the airflow. Now I always either ask the crew to kill the cabin lights or reposition myself to cut the glare before I do any visual checks. Has anyone else run into trouble with light from inside the plane hiding surface issues outside?

2 comments

2 Comments

joseph_adams661mo ago

Dude, that's a legit problem. I had a similar thing happen at a Delta hangar in Atlanta last winter. Was checking a 737's engine cowling for ice before a red-eye. Cabin lights were on, but one of the overheads was flickering, creating this weird strobing effect on the ground. I actually missed a small patch of clear ice right by the oil filler door. The glare from the window hid it completely. My lead caught it when he came out for a second look. Now I always flip off the cabin lights or use a red lens flashlight to cut the glare before any serious walk-around.

margaret3041mo ago

Did you ever see that study from the FAA about how different light colors affect what you can spot on a surface? They found red light actually makes clear ice stand out better than white light. Smart move switching to that red lens, sounds like it might be the safer way to go.