2013 EPLB Boeing 737-800 Passenger Incident

Incident Overview On 8 February 2013, an incident occurred at EPLB involving a Boeing 737-800. During deplaning through the rear doors, a 2.5-year-old child fell from an upper stair platform, approximately 3 meters high, onto the apron. The child was accompanied by its mother and a flight coordinator. ## Response and Injuries Fire service personnel provided first aid at the scene. The child was conscious, in stable condition, and had no visible external injuries. An ambulance arrived after about 10 minutes, and the child was transported to a hospital, where a broken right arm was diagnosed. The aircraft crew was informed immediately after the incident. ## Investigation Findings A cabin crew member at the rear exit stated that passengers had been reminded to secure children while descending the stairs, though the crew member was not a direct witness to the fall. The two-person stair team reported that the stairs had been correctly positioned, a statement confirmed by the aircraft crew. ## Structural Analysis Investigators examined the stairs and their safety features. They found that the design of the stair safety devices and railings could, in certain situations, create a gap of about 30 centimeters between the stair platform and the aircraft fuselage. This gap was sufficient for an unsecured child to slip through and fall onto the apron. ## Probable Cause The most probable cause was a gap between the stair platform and the aircraft fuselage, resulting from a defective design of the stair safety devices, into which the child fell while exiting without adult support. ## Preventive Measures Special safety procedures were introduced for boarding and deplaning. A request was sent to the stair manufacturer for immediate design changes and modification of stairs in service. After repairs, the possibility of removing ground staff assistance on the stair platform during boarding and deplaning was to be re-evaluated. The commission did not issue safety recommendations.