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Coffee spill causes diversion for US flight
TORONTO (AP) — A pilot's spilled coffee accidentally triggered a hijacking alert and caused a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany, to make an unscheduled stop in Canada. A Transp . . . (flightaware.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
My understanding was that it got into the electronics and the transponder code was changed automatically without pilot control. With a lot of new planes on an RTU (Remote Tuning Unit), the Com/Nav/ADF/Transpnder/and if installed HF is all control from the same panel. Coffee shorts out Audio Integrating and changes the Transponder Code.
How do we really know if it intially WAS the pilots fault? Sure, he might be "mister butter-fingers" holding a coffee cup, but there is always the scenario of a flight attendant passing the beverage from behind, rather than saying, "left-side or right side of you." Time and time again I hear Captains main complaint is how unsafe it is, but the attendants or anyone else still continue to do the same thing without thinking twice about it. Just a thought.
On the other hand, putting in the wrong code in on the transponder..but still 75 and 76 are pretty close together. I also thought these codes were supposed to be confidential, and not public information for security reasons? Mistakes clearly made and easily corrected, but the fact of the matter; the errors-and errors can cost people-time, money, and safety. Wonder what his review will be like.
On the other hand, putting in the wrong code in on the transponder..but still 75 and 76 are pretty close together. I also thought these codes were supposed to be confidential, and not public information for security reasons? Mistakes clearly made and easily corrected, but the fact of the matter; the errors-and errors can cost people-time, money, and safety. Wonder what his review will be like.
Seems to me that 75 is an obsolete code. I mean TSA is keeping us safe even if passengers are arresting people with bagels. "Land this plane or I'll attack you with cream cheese." (3 oz container, of course)
Just a guess of what happened here, The captain accidentally spilled the coffee in what is known as an RTU (Remote Tuning Unit). It inoped his Communications and Changed his transponder to 7500. A One in a millin shot. Using the remaining com which is normally used for ACARS or Company AIRING he probably was in communication with his company dispatcher. The way it sounds, the tuning was automatic, not commanded by the crew.
@ric "75 taken alive, 76 technical glitch, 77 going to heaven"
I never heard that one before. Looks like there's something new I can pass along to future students...when I finally have some.
Josh
I never heard that one before. Looks like there's something new I can pass along to future students...when I finally have some.
Josh
Maybe he stopped using his sippy cup/spill-proof thermos mug for fear of having his coffee swabbed by TSA at the checkpoint.