Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

posted by martyb on Sunday February 02 2020, @07:45AM   Printer-friendly
from the I'll-drink-to-that dept.

A350 engine shutdown incidents linked to cockpit drink spills

Airbus and Rolls-Royce are investigating two incidents in which A350s experienced uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown after drinks were spilled on controls situated on the cockpit centre pedestal.

FlightGlobal understands that the airframer is to discuss the matter with operators on 30 January, and will issue a transmission on recommended practices for handling beverages on the flightdeck.

One of the incidents involved a Delta Air Lines A350-900 en route to Seoul on 21 January, which diverted to Fairbanks after its right-hand Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine shut down, while a similar event occurred to another carrier in November last year.

[...] The previous incident, on 9 November 2019, occurred about 1h after tea was spilled on the centre pedestal, FlightGlobal understands.

Apparently, waterproofing keys is against the spirit of Airbus engineering as membranes cost way too much.


Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: 2) by nobu_the_bard on Monday February 03 2020, @02:17PM

    by nobu_the_bard (6373) on Monday February 03 2020, @02:17PM (#953119)

    Actually this is such a problem in general, not just with any specific plane, that I've read that some airlines actually distribute generic lids for cups and require them in the pilot's cabin. If they can't use those lids or bring one they can use, they're not supposed to keep the drink. The drink holders are also often situated away from the controls in some planes, deliberately, to minimize the risk of a problem.

    Of course, this causes different problems - because pilots want the drinks at hand, so they just rest the drinks on any surface that's handy instead of using the holder because it's too much of a reach. They have to use lids so they just pop huge holes in them or jam them onto cups they don't fit.

    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2