What is the poor man's condition?
I have analysed that perfectly reasonable, simple question; tried saying it with different emphasis, etc etc and I can find no reason at all for the fact that to me it read as dreadfully condescending. Her Maj might ask the same of her butler about a footman run over by the coach.
Please don't take offence, Rainboe, no need for the customary outrage. I'm sure it's me that's got the problem. I have been working a lot with maintenance engineers recently and perhaps that influences my reactions to what pilots say and do.