Things are different when you are racing through the air six miles above the ground. Mundane mistakes can become disruptions for hundreds of people, creating news and likely even fodder for comedians.

And so it was for pilots of United Airlines Flight 940 on Monday night. One spilled coffee accidentally on the Boeing 777’s avionics while over Canada en route to Frankfurt from Chicago. When radios went goofy, a pilot put the “No Radio” code (7600) in the transponder but mistakenly entered 7500, which means hijacking or unlawful interference.

When that happens, there’s a lot more than crying over spilled coffee. A Transport Canada report said Canada’s defense department was notified, but that with the help of United’s dispatch staff the flight crew confirmed it to be a communication issue and not a hijacking.

The plane diverted to Toronto. A spokeswoman for Transport Canada told the Associated Press that in addition to communications problems, the plane also had some navigation problems.

The Boeing 777 was carrying 241 passengers and a crew of 14. United said it flew them back to Chicago on another plane and put them up in hotel rooms overnight. They flew to Frankfurt on Tuesday aboard another 777.

Spilled coffee, by the way, has long been a problem for commercial jets. Airlines typically have to repair corrosion in cockpit floor and sidewall areas that results from years of coffee spills.

What the hell are commercial airline pilots doing drinking coffee when they should be flying the plane?

Good one. Rainman and I got it.

Good one. Rainman and I got it.

Time hack.