Date: 202104
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: A319
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
ATC / advisory: Ground ZZZ
Aircraft component: ACARS Printer
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Distraction; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Pre-flight; Aircraft In Service At Gate
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: At initial entry into the flight deck; a large amount of coffee was spilled on the aft; center; pedestal of our Airbus A319. Despite an immediate clean up with a large number of paper towels; the first noted impact may have been the failure of the ACARS printer; as indicated by an MCDU message; and the failure of the 'Slew' button to advance any paper. We then began a long series of phone calls with our dispatcher and Maintenance Control (conferenced in) to both attempt a reset of the printer or secure an MEL entry. The total time on the phone was likely over 30 minutes; after which we had an ACARS printer MEL. During our extensive time on hold; I began to suspect that some of the coffee may have also entered other components; such as the Flap/Slat and Spoiler control modules; all near the ACARS printer. After advising Maintenance Control of this; their guidance was to cycle the various components at the gate to see if they worked; we did so; but that generated a FLT/C ECAM Slat Sys error message. Maintenance Control suggested that we try the tests again; once both engines were running; which we did. Both systems appeared to operate nominally so we dismissed our push crew for taxi out. Within 2 to 4 minutes of commencing taxi; I noted an electrical odor; followed soon thereafter by visible whiffs of electrical smoke coming from the ACARS printer area. I directed the First Officer to immediately pulled the ACARS printer Circuit Breaker (as we knew from our earlier Maintenance Control-directed troubleshooting); but found it had already popped. We returned to the gate after consulting with Maintenance Control and local operations; whereupon our aircraft was eventually removed from service.This was arguably the greatest failure of my entire aviation career; I am aghast that we allowed this situation to progress as far is it did; particularly in light of the 'What If's?' We almost took off in an aircraft with grossly uncertain airworthiness. An after-the-fact Google search reveals a long history of potentially catastrophic aviation emergencies and incidents from cockpit fluid spills; we would have added to this list if the ACARS printer had happened to begin smoking a few minutes later; or if the spoilers or flaps/slats had had an uncommanded movement; or if the Engine Master Control(s) had detected a false 'Off' signal...all from a stray drop of coffee migrating to the wrong place at the worst time.While there are many parties to this series of mistakes; I feel that Maintenance Control guidance in this matter was woefully incorrect and caused a serious; negative; impact on our flight's safety. Furthermore; our own flight training has been deficient; we should have known to ground the aircraft. Had we been correctly trained on this threat; we would have never left the gate. Prior to this event; I had little understanding of the potential damage from fluid spills; now I know better; particularly after seeing the coffee stains near the cannon plugs and wiring of essential items inside the center pedestal. Lastly; we were not the first; nor will we be the last; to spill something on the flight deck: the FAA and other aviation authorities should quickly establish Technical Standard Orders for all equipment in 'spill zones' so as to prevent potentially catastrophic outcomes going forward.




Synopsis: A319 Captain reported spilling coffee on the center pedestal; resulting in electrical shorts and damage to aircraft systems.