(posted 7213 days ago)Mirror
JET'S TEA MACHINE GROUNDS BRIT FLIGHT
Jul 19 2004
By Emma BrittonA JET packed with British holidaymakers heading home from Ibiza made an emergency return to the airport when passengers smelt smoke from a coffee and tea machine onboard.
The Stansted-bound easyJet flight was in the air for less than an hour when the pilot announced it would be turning back.
About 40 passengers were transferred to another flight after the incident on Saturday night, but another 80 were delayed for over 20 hours as checks were carried out on the Boeing 737.
They were told to find a hotel for the evening, but many were unable to.
Simon O'Connell, 33, from Kennington, South-East London, said: "There was a smell of fire on the plane and we had to come back to Ibiza. We were stuck for 21 hours which is just shocking.
"After we took off there was a smell of acrid burning rubber through the cabin. We spent four hours at the terminal before they said we should go and find a hotel for the night.
"Then when we came back at 11am they kept us waiting for hours again."
Colin Hill, 61, from Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, said his daughter-in-law, with her two-year-old child, searched all night for a place to stay.
EasyJet spokeswoman Samantha Day said: "There was a smell of smoke from the galley area which is thought to have come from the tea and coffee-making equipment but there was no fire.
"Passengers were told to come back at 11am Sunday morning but we were still carrying out checks and they flew at 5.20pm.
"The captain and crew came out every hour with information and vouchers for food and drink."
EasyJet is refunding the flight cost and hotel bill.