Laboratory sample distribution system comprising: - a number of sample container carriers (140, 147) being adapted to carry one or more sample containers (145, 148), - a transport plane being adapted to support the sample container carriers (140, 147), - movement means being adapted to move a sample container carrier (140, 147) on top of the transport plane, and - a control device being configured to control the movement of the sample container carriers (140, 147) on top of the transport plane by controlling the movement means such that the sample container carriers (140, 147) move along corresponding transport paths, characterized in that the laboratory sample distribution system further comprises: - a recovery device, wherein the recovery device comprises: - handling means being adapted to handle a sample container carrier (140, 147) or a sample container (145, 148), if an error condition has occurred, and - drive means (270, 272, 274, 276) being adapted to move the recovery device on top of the transport plane, and - environment scanning means being adapted to recognize an error condition by: - recognizing a sample container carrier and/or a sample container, and/or - determining if a sample container is contained in a sample container carrier, and/or - determining if a sample container carrier and/or a sample container has tilted over, and/or - determining if a sample container carrier and/or a sample container is contaminated. - a number of sample container carriers (140, 147) being adapted to carry one or more sample containers (145, 148), - a transport plane being adapted to support the sample container carriers (140, 147), - movement means being adapted to move a sample container carrier (140, 147) on top of the transport plane, and - a control device being configured to control the movement of the sample container carriers (140, 147) on top of the transport plane by controlling the movement means such that the sample container carriers (140, 147) move along corresponding transport paths, - a recovery device, wherein the recovery device comprises: - handling means being adapted to handle a sample container carrier (140, 147) or a sample container (145, 148), if an error condition has occurred, and - drive means (270, 272, 274, 276) being adapted to move the recovery device on top of the transport plane, and - handling means being adapted to handle a sample container carrier (140, 147) or a sample container (145, 148), if an error condition has occurred, and - drive means (270, 272, 274, 276) being adapted to move the recovery device on top of the transport plane, and - environment scanning means being adapted to recognize an error condition by: - recognizing a sample container carrier and/or a sample container, and/or - determining if a sample container is contained in a sample container carrier, and/or - determining if a sample container carrier and/or a sample container has tilted over, and/or - determining if a sample container carrier and/or a sample container is contaminated. - recognizing a sample container carrier and/or a sample container, and/or - determining if a sample container is contained in a sample container carrier, and/or - determining if a sample container carrier and/or a sample container has tilted over, and/or - determining if a sample container carrier and/or a sample container is contaminated.