MD-11
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure; Weather; Aircraft
During aircraft loading; main cargo door remained open allowing rain to enter aircraft and [shipping container] cans had water on tops of cans that ran down into the Center Accessory Compartment (CAC) causing random [cockpit] alerts like AOA; Slat EXT; GPWS; and RadAlt1. Maintenance inspected both FWD avionics and CAC and found water dripping down on numerous cannon plugs causing electrical problems. [Recommend to] Keep aircraft doors closed during rain events and dry cargo cans prior to loading.
In aircraft for approximately 90 minutes during loading in rainy conditions. The captain noted intermittent alerts for AOA; GPWS; Slat Disag; and Radar Altimeter over a period of approximately 30-45 minutes. Concerned about water in either the Avionics or Center Accessory Compartments (CAC); we called Maintenance. Maintenance determined there was water dripping on equipment Cannon plugs in the Center Accessory Compartment. They subsequently informed us that Maintenance Control had downed the aircraft and a transload would be necessary. After being awake for 5 hours at this point; and realizing departure was probably another couple of hours away; plus 4 block hours to ZZZZ; I decided that I would not be safe to operate given I had only a couple of hours sleep prior to show time for the trip. I called in to Crew Scheduling and stated I was fatigued; and subsequently stated to the Duty Officer that I did not feel safe to operate given the circumstances.
A Captain and First Officer report that during aircraft loading operations; the Main Cargo Door on their MD-11 aircraft remained opened; allowing rain to enter the aircraft. Shipping containers (cans) were also loaded with tops covered with water that ran down into the Center Accessory Compartments (CAC) onto Cannon plugs causing random alerts of AOA; Slat Disagree; Slat EXT; GPWS and Radar Altimeter. Aircraft removed from service.