On August 3, 1990, a Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-10 (registration N1804U) was involved in an aviation accident near Coeur D'alene, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The passenger's accidental contact with the serving tray, which caused the coffee cup to spill onto her lap, resulting in second-degree burns. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A passenger sustained second-degree burns after a flight attendant's coffee cup spilled onto her lap during cruise flight, resulting in a three-day hospitalization.
What happened
During the cruise phase of the flight, a flight attendant was engaged in serving refreshments to passengers. The attendant initially handed a cup of coffee to one passenger and then proceeded to serve another individual nearby. While the attendant was occupied with this second service, the first passenger accidentally knocked over the serving tray. This action caused the cup of coffee to spill directly onto the passenger's lap.
Findings
The incident resulted in the passenger sustaining second-degree burns. Due to the severity of these injuries, the individual required hospitalization for a period of three days. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the spill revealed that there was no report of turbulence at the time of the accident, indicating that the spill was likely caused by the physical contact with the tray rather than aircraft movement.
Safety message
This event highlights the potential risks associated with in-flight service operations. While coffee spills are common occurrences, they can lead to significant injuries such as second-degree burns. Passengers and crew members should remain aware of their surroundings during meal and beverage service to minimize the risk of accidental contact with hot liquids.
Probable cause
The passenger's accidental contact with the serving tray, which caused the coffee cup to spill onto her lap, resulting in second-degree burns.