Spilled coffee forced Thomas Cook Group flight to make emergency landing
A holiday flight operated by Thomas Cook-owned Condor, was forced to divert because the pilot spilled coffee over the cockpit controls.
The Airbus A330, carrying 337 passengers and crew, which was en-route from Frankfurt to Cancun, had to make an emergency landing in Shannon in the west of Ireland.
The UK-based Air Accident Investigation Branch said the spilt coffee caused the audio control panel to start melting and there was smoke in the cockpit, forcing the pilots to use oxygen masks.
No-one was injured in the incident on February 6 although five people were taken to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. It is understood they included four cabin crew members and a passenger who were reported to be suffering from smoke inhalation.
Passengers were forced to spend the night in Ireland due to the diversion, which is estimated to have cost the airline up to £80,000.
The report found the 49-year-old captain had put his coffee cup on a tray table – where objects are ‘vulnerable to being knocked over’ – despite Airbus recommending pilots use the cup holders provided.
The AAIB said the small size of cups used by Condor ‘generally discouraged’ use of the holders as it was difficult to grasp them.
Investigators also noted putting a lid on the cup may have reduced the amount of coffee spilled.
Condor responded to the accident by ensuring cup lids are provided on all flights, reminding pilots to be careful with liquids and supplying cups that are an appropriate size for cup holders.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements