EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Diverted; General Declared Emergency
Human Factors
A beverage can ruptured spraying its contents throughout cockpit and center console. [We had a] subsequent Pressurization Controller failure and rapid cabin decompression. Memory items; ATC notification and QRH items completed. Coordinated with ATC; Flight Attendant; Dispatch and Maintenance Control. Normal approach and landing completed without incident.
The Reporter stated that his Company's Flight Crew Operations Manual has a prohibition about placing liquids on or passing them over the Center Console because of its vulnerability to liquid incursion. In this case; a closed beverage can was passed over the Center Console but dropped before it could be put in the cup holder near the Captain's side window. The pressurized mist sprayed everywhere and ultimately dripped off the overhead panel onto the Center Console. After the liquid got into the Pressurization Controller; located on the Center Console; the pressurization system failed to control the cabin pressure and the rapid decompression followed. The Reporter believes the Center Console should be better protected from liquid because his event is not the first such failure because of liquid incursion and will not be the last because of design issues.
An EMB145 Captain dropped a beverage can onto the flight station floor at cruise altitude which ruptured the container spraying liquid throughout the cockpit. Ultimately; liquid dripped onto the Center Console and caused the Pressure Controller to fail; subsequently depressurizing the aircraft. An emergency was declare and the flight diverted to a nearby airport.