B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors; Aircraft
While climbing out in IMC with rain showers and moderate chop at night (early morning) while conducting OE; I called out that we were below 10 degrees C and was going to turn on the engine anti-ice. Instead; I mistakenly turned off the B System hydraulic pumps which are located directly below the engine anti-ice switches. The resulting Master Caution light provided immediate awareness of my switchology error and I quickly turned the B System hydraulic pumps back on and then turned on the engine anti-ice. Total time involved was approximately 10 seconds. I am filing this out of an abundance of caution as it was basically a non-event; BUT was still a rather surprising mistake to make. The First Officer was an innocent by-stander as pilot flying.Although this particular event was only about 10 seconds in duration and did not result in any self-induced problems; moving the wrong switches in an airplane is a mistake that could have much bigger consequences if other switches were involved. I was quite surprised and rather embarrassed by this mistake. The only way to prevent this mistake is be sure you have the right switch before turning it off or on depending on the switch.
A check airman conducting initial operating experience for a new First Officer was embarrassed when; after advising he was turning on engine anti-ice; instead turned off both B System hydraulic pumps; the switches for which are adjacent to the anti-ice switches. The err was quickly rectified when a Master Caution warning illuminated the error of his ways.