An overturned coffee forces an airplane to turn away from the Atlantic

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AAIB

A passenger plane with 337 people on board was forced to divert in February after the pilot spilled coffee on the dashboard, British investigators said.

The Airbus A330-243 from Frankfurt, Germany, to Cancún, Mexico, had to land in Shannon, Ireland, reports the AAIB (Air Accidents Investigation Branch).

This is due to the fact that the pilot audio control panels (ACPs) began to melt and that there was smoke in the cockpit.

The pilots had to use oxygen masks. There was no injury.

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The AAIB does not identify which company flew the flight during the February 6, 2019 accident.

However, the independent non-profit Flight Safety Foundation says it was a Condor Airlines flight. The plane was operated by Thomas Cook Airlines.

What are the details of the accident in the cockpit?

The AAIB said that the main pilot was watching the co-pilot over the Atlantic Ocean when the coffee was being served.

The drinks were distributed in cups without a lid, which, according to the AAIB, was normal for the company making the flight.

The main driver put the coffee on his service table – but the cup was subsequently spilled.

Most of the liquid fell on the commander's lap and a small amount spread over the main ACP1.

The ACP1 and later the co-pilot's ACP2 became hot enough to start melting one of his pimples.

This resulted in the failure of control panels and communication problems.

The decision was made to hijack at Shannon, and the plane landed safely.

The AAIB indicates that the operator has since modified its procedure to ensure that cup lids are provided for flights on all routes, and cabin crews are informed of the need to use them.