Originally Posted by
Homa
Outstanding! Just outstanding! I can see my airline putting out a bulletin today about no beverages in the cockpit unless it's bottled water. For being professional aviators and supposedly having good motor skills, it sure seems that some among our ranks are total klutzes when it comes to handling a cup of coffee or juice.
Dude, we're all human. I think every pilot has come close to dropping a drink once in their life. I'm always a bit amazed the aircraft manufacturers don't make the consoles at least a little bit liquid resistant.
Originally Posted by
Homa
At my previous airline, we almost lost an airplane because the previous crew had spilled OJ on the center console and hadn't reported it. They handed the airplane off to another crew and went home. The juice made its way to the autopilot circuitry and commanded a pitch up. It was due to the superb skill and quick thinking of the CA & FO that the plane didn't end up stalling & spinning in.
Ok that's just stupid. If I spill something, I write it up. However that said I don't think I should be read the riot act for an honest mistake. I know what coffee will do to electronics, so it's not like I'm just throwing coffee around for fun.