What happened
While attempting to board the aircraft, a passenger experienced an accident at the air stair door. As the passenger raised her foot to step onto the first step of the stairs, she placed her foot back on the ground and lost her balance.
The investigation
An examination of the equipment revealed that the height of the first step above the ground varied between 10.25 inches and 12.75 inches, depending on the specific passenger and baggage load at the time. Additionally, investigators found that the air stair door was equipped with a single handrail on the right side of the stairs, but this rail did not extend down to the bottom step.
Findings
- The height of the boarding step was inconsistent, ranging from 10.25 to 12.75 inches.
- The available handrail did not provide support for the lowest portion of the stairs.
- While company station manuals required a staff member to be on standby at the bottom of the stairs to assist with passenger deplaning, there was no requirement for personnel to assist during the boarding process.