Originally Posted by
NGDriver
I was TRI/TRE on the 328 for several years, but I never heard of a case where the E/P brake lever was unintentionally moved back in flight while tuning the RMU or typing something into the FMS. There is a lot of load on it keeping it in the most forward position, and I don't think anyone could move it without noticing it.[
As a TRI/TRE how much actual line experience did you get? Yep, when those planes are shiny and new the coat rack (E/P brake lever) will literally fly out of your hand once you pull it out of the on position if you don't have a good grip on it. My former company was the largest operator of the jet type, as well as put the most hour/cycles on them of any operator. And guess what? After they all get used up and bent, the springs that would pull that lever forward weren't quite and "springy" after a while. Hence the lever sometimes not releasing fully, or being able to be bumped in flight due to it's poor location.
Originally Posted by
NGDriver
I heard of a captain who wanted to show his F/O how to transfer hydraulic fluid between the two hydraulic systems by pumping the E/P brake lever in flight (this is a QRH procedure in case of a certain hydraulic problem!), and unfortunately he forgot to move it out of the "park" position after the demonstration. They landed with the brakes on, blew all four tyres and stopped right on the centreline. The wind was calm that day, so it's hard to say if the outcome would have been different with a gusty crosswind, which can be very tricky on the 328 due to the narrow wheel base.
Were you on the prop or jet? If I remember, the hydraulic system was one of the differences.