B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
During climb out; passing through approximately 7;000 FT; the 'A' Flight Attendant called the Flight Deck to report that water was leaking from the ceiling in row 12 above seats A; B; & C. After inspection of the overhead stowage compartment located directly above those seats; it was soon established that the water had leaked out of a passenger's Camel Pack stowed in it. The leak eventually stopped. A few minutes later; the 'A' Flight Attendant reported to the Flight Deck that the Flight Attendant Call Light and all Passenger Reading Lights located in row 12 above seats A; B; & C had switched ON and could not be switched OFF. The Captain advised Maintenance Control and Dispatch of the situation. VHF communication was challenging along this route segment and had to be re-established multiple times. What became apparent was that we were dealing with an 'ill-defined' problem. The Captain and First Officer discussed the situation and became increasingly concerned with continuing the flight with an unknown electrical situation in a PSU filled with water due to the possibility of electrical shorts and fire. The Captain exercised his Emergency Authority and diverted the flight with the concurrence of Dispatch and Maintenance Control. An uneventful approach was made. Maintenance Technicians inspected the PSU's in row 12 ABC; found it filled with water and applied appropriate procedures to dry it out and de-activate it. The flight was later re-dispatched under MEL 35-2D 'Row 12 ABC PSU's INOP'. Our three Flight Attendants handled this situation with great professionalism by providing detailed and accurate information to the Flight Deck. It was especially impressive that they observed that all 3 PSU's weren't functioning properly and promptly communicated these important facts to us on the Flight Deck.
B737 First Officer is informed during climb that water is leaking from the bins above seats 12 A; B; and C from a passenger's camelbak. Later it is reported that all reading lights above those seats have switched on and cannot be switched off. The crew elects to divert for maintenance.