Date: 201507
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: Mixed
Weather elements / visibility: Rain; Thunderstorm
Light: Night
Aircraft: MD-11
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Cargo / Freight / Delivery
Flight phase: Initial Climb; Takeoff / Launch
ATC / advisory: Ramp ZZZ; Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Cargo Door
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Automation Aircraft Other Automation; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight; Pre-flight
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Moderate to heavy rain during aircraft loading. I observed main cargo door in open position. Considering the rain and water entering through the cargo door; I requested the loader operator; two ramp agents and one other ramp person to get the door into the canopy position. NO action was taken. Door remained open for entire load operation. Rain lasted approx. 20+ minutes. After load complete and door closed; I made AML entry requesting inspection for water intrusion. Maintenance inspected and reported dry E&E; CAC and main cargo deck dry. Shortly after takeoff multiple alerts occurred. Many were transitory. [Display unit] 1; 2 & 3 went blank for several seconds. Some of the alerts we worked through with the QRH were; GEN 1 off; Battery discharging; aircraft tie 1 off; emergency power on. All the while; other alerts occurring momentarily. My intention was to get cleaned up and fly to destination. However; a batter discharging is a 'land at nearest suitable.' We returned to the departure airport.Upon return; Maintenance personnel found and reported copious amounts of water in the CAC. The rain combined with the main cargo door in the OPEN position during loading with rainfall. Ramp loading personnel not following procedures with regard to door position.


Second narrative: During the pre-flight; it started to rain and the Captain and I discussed what the position of the doors should be for loading and we both agreed the main cargo door should be closed or canopied. The Captain left the cockpit to ensure that the main cargo door was in the correct position. Upon his return; he informed me that the main cargo door was not in the correct position and he had requested that the door be closed or canopied several times without any action from the load crew. We estimated that the door was incorrectly positioned approx 15-20 min with moderate rain coming down. We requested that maintenance bring absorbent pads and also requested a maintenance inspection prior to closing up the aircraft to verify that all areas were clear of water. Maintenance complied with our requests and completed the inspection satisfactorily and informed us we were cleared to proceed; which was all documented in the log book.As we rotated at approximately 400ft AGL; the Captain lost 1;2;3 Display Units and we received multiple Level 1 and 2 alerts; some were transitory while others stayed displayed. The four I recall were EMERG PWR ON; AC TIE 1 OFF; GEN 1 OFF and BAT DISCHARGING. BAT DISCHARGING led us to diverting back to the departure station with no further events. After we landed; maintenance informed us that they found approx 3/4 inch of water in the CAC. We suspect that was the culprit which caused the turn back.


Synopsis: While loading cargo with rain falling and the cargo door open; a MD-11 ground crew failed to protect the aircraft interior from rain. After takeoff the crew returned to land because of numerous malfunctions caused by water on electronics.