What happened
On 4 July 2007, during a scheduled public transport flight at Dublin Airport, a cabin crew member was involved in a serious incident while passengers were boarding an ATR 7 2-202, registration EI-REE. The aircraft was positioned at Stand 9 during a period of windy and rainy weather.
While the aft service door was open for baggage loading, the crew member attempted to look out of the door to locate ground loaders. While leaning forward and using a grab handle for support, her foot slipped on the wet metal threshold. This loss of balance caused her to fall through the low-height door, striking a baggage trolley on the ramp before hitting the ground. The crew member lost consciousness briefly and was transported to a hospital, where she was treated for soft tissue damage and extensive bruising.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. It was noted that the stainless steel doorsill lacked any anti-slip protection. The investigation also reviewed the weather reports, which confirmed wind gusts of up to 28 knots and precipitation, resulting in wet surfaces on the ramp and the aircraft threshold.
Investigators found that while some aircraft in the operator's fleet were equipped with non-slip mats, the specific aircraft involved was not. The investigation also looked into the design of the door, noting that its small size made the use of safety straps impractical for baggage loading operations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the crew member slipping while looking through the aft service door.
- The slippery surface of the metal doorsill was a significant contributing factor.
- Inclement weather, specifically rain and wind, created the hazardous conditions on the threshold.
- The aircraft was not equipped with anti-slip strips on the metal sill.