I tried for years to get the airlines and aircraft manufacturers to tie the CDU (chemtrail dispersal unit for those of you who have forgotten) to the gear selector. That way, something like this couldn't happen. I was repeatedly told I was crazy and didn't know what I was talking about. There was no way a professional pilot, sworn to secrecy in the national interest and being given a HUGE payoff at the end of his/her career would EVER forget to disengage a CDU. Ha! Look who's laughing now!
On a funnier note, I had to seriously berate a newbie FO for activating the CDU during start up the other day, smoke was pouring out all over the ramp! Stupid newbie! Been seeing that too much lately.