TUI Airways flight makes an emergency return to Manchester Airport after smoke in the flight deck

TUI Airways flight TOM156 is a scheduled service between Manchester Airport and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, operating on a weekly basis. Friday’s flight (19/04/24) didn’t go as planned.

The flight took off from runway 23L at Manchester Airport (MAN) at 10:40am bound for Punta Cana (PUJ), and at 10:44am local time, just four minutes later, TOM156 began circling back towards Manchester Airport. At 10:47am, the aircraft’s squawk code changed from 5013 to 7700, indicating a general emergency on board. The flight reached a highest altitude of 4,900ft before quickly descending down to 3,400ft, the minimum altitude for the immediate area surrounding Manchester Airport. The aircraft intercepted the ILS for runway 23R at 10:54am and successfully landed at 10:57am, coming to a hard stop on the runway and being met by fire crews from the airport. Runway 23R was immediately closed to arriving and departing aircraft.

At 10:18, the aircraft was towed away to stand using an aircraft tug.

TUI have been approached for comment, and replied stating “We can confirm that this morning (Friday 19 April) TOM156 departed Manchester Airport for Punta Cana International Airport but returned to departure airport shortly after take-off due to a minor technical matter”. All passengers and crew are safe and were deboarded at the gate. TUI identified an alternative aircraft that would fly the passengers to their destination on the same day.

Incidents like these are a great testament to the safety of air travel and the professionalism of flight and cabin crew. Despite being faced with a stressful situation and challenges, the flight landed safely. Manchester Airport’s response was also phenomenal.

What are your thoughts on TUI’s flight crew’s response? Have you been involved in an aircraft incident? Let us know in the comments below!