Passengers aboard Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) flight SK1583 experienced an unexpected twist last Saturday during their journey from Stockholm to Málaga. This incident unfolded on February 7, 2026, when the Airbus A320neo, registered as SE-DOZ, departed from Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
Mouse Forces SAS Flight Return to Stockholm
While cruising above Belgium, a mouse was spotted darting through the cabin. This was not merely a trivial nuisance but raised significant safety concerns. Rodents aboard aircraft can chew through insulation and, more importantly, electrical wiring, posing severe risks of malfunctions or even fires.
Reacting swiftly, the flight crew decided to abandon their plans for Málaga and return to Stockholm. Flight tracking services, including Flightradar24, documented the plane’s return journey, which lasted about three and a half hours. Passengers endured a lengthy flight only to arrive back where they started, leading to a mix of disbelief and frustration.
Safety Comes First
The presence of a mouse on a plane is more than a minor inconvenience. Aviation experts note that a single rodent can cause significant disruptions. As reported, SAS took the threat seriously and prioritized safety by diverting the flight rather than risking any technical failures.
Upon landing, SAS took immediate action. Engineers at Arlanda Airport initiated an inspection of the aircraft and worked to eliminate the intrusive guest. Fortunately, records indicated that the A320neo was cleared for commercial service by the next day, leading to no reported damage. However, the fate of the mouse remains uncertain, as there has been no update on its capture.
Post-Incident Arrangements
Despite the setback, SAS arranged a replacement aircraft for the stranded passengers, who eventually resumed their journey to Málaga after a considerable delay. This peculiar situation provided them with an unexpected story to share about their travels.
A History of Rodent Interruptions
This isn’t the first time SAS faced such a disruption. In September 2024, another A320neo was diverted mid-flight after a mouse was discovered in a passenger’s meal during a Oslo to Málaga flight. This incident resulted in an emergency landing in Copenhagen and a thorough review of catering processes.
Rodent disturbances aren’t exclusive to SAS. In November 2024, TAP Air Portugal dealt with a more significant issue when 130 hamsters escaped during a flight. Such instances highlight that even small animals can cause considerable complications in commercial aviation.
Airports and Pest Control
Rodent problems can extend beyond flights to airport operations, as experienced at Manchester Airport in 2023 when staff encountered rodents within the terminal. Prompt actions, including pest control measures and inspections, were executed to ensure a safe environment.
While such dramatic occurrences capture headlines, airlines and airports invest heavily in pest control to minimize risks. Nevertheless, the incident aboard SAS flight SK1583 demonstrates that even the smallest stowaways can disrupt flight operations. Passengers may have faced a delay, but they also gained a memorable anecdote from their experience. For SAS, this incident reinvigorates the importance of vigilance in ensuring flight safety amidst unpredictable challenges.
