Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Procedure; Aircraft; Human Factors
1) We pushed off the gate and then received a 'GLD UNSAFE' caution message. 2) Per company policy; once pushed back the aircraft is underway and the QRH is to be used. 3) QRH states turn spoilers to off; if message disappears continue and add 30% or 40% to landing distance. 4) GLD message on the ground is non-deferrable thus non-dispatchable; so I called Maintenance; we discussed the RAD ALT as it was fluctuating on the ground and at times cause for GLD message. 5) Per Maintenance; I pulled the RAD ALT (Captain) breaker and the message went away. 6) After resetting the breaker the message came back; we decided to defer the RAD ALT (Captain) this required 3 deferrals 34/27/22 7). In the process of writing the deferrals the GLD message kept appearing. I had reset the CB and this was causing a distraction to me writing and talking on the phone; I believe; I turned off the spoilers to silence the distraction.8) Once done with the write-ups I performed the necessary procedures; which was pull the CB for the RAD ALT (Captain). 9) After takeoff we all noticed that the spoilers were disarmed. I made the decision to leave the switch in that position until landing as at the time I could not remember when or why I disarmed the spoilers. 10) Landing was uneventful; spoilers were deployed on landing.There were numerous distractions on the flight deck aside from the initial GLD message. The First Officer and Jumpseater; in the process of dealing with the deferrals; were having what I call 'what if' and 'what about this' conversation. While talking to Maintenance; the First Officer notified me that we were getting close to minimum fuel. So I asked him to ACARS Dispatch and drop 300 LBS of extra fuel to avoid needless delay; which he did. At the end of the deferral paperwork; I went over all three deferrals with the cockpit and we agreed; per the deferrals that there were no performance penalties for landing or takeoff. All agreed on the deferrals and we proceeded to departure and takeoff prior to our ORIGINAL MIN planned fuel. This brought up for a short discussion while taxing that Dispatch had not updated our fuel status and I explained that we were above or original min fuel so we did not need anything more from Dispatch as we were still legal for departure with our original numbers. I.e. Dispatch did update the deferrals. After takeoff we noticed the switch position; and then the ensuing discussion that it was an illegal write-up and an improper takeoff. I maintain that it was a legal write-up and the mistake made by me was the switch position of the spoilers. At the time though; I could not offer up a reasonable explanation to any of the questions poised and pushed it out of my mind. Deciding that I need to fly and handle the airplane and will talk about this on the ground. That was the moment I realized how distracted I had become and took steps to prevent anymore during this flight; i.e. no further discussion on the matter. I have to remember to tell everyone or just the First Officer to shut up while I'm trying to deal with a deferral. Prioritize! This is a gray area I believe in the QRH. If we push back and then get the GLD UNSAFE message. The QRH says turn of the spoilers; if message goes away add 30% 40% depending to landing distance; but we haven't taken off. However; it is non-deferrable; unless it is the RAD ALT causing the problem. If I had followed the QRH it would have been wrong.
CRJ700 Captain reports becoming distracted during a phone call to Maintenance to discuss a GLD UNSAFE caution message after pushback. With the First Officer and the jumpseater discussing the problem and the caution chime repeatedly sounding; the Captain elects to disarm the spoilers. This act is forgotten while complying with MEL procedures and the flight departs with the spoilers disarmed.