What happened
On 26 May 2017, an ATR 72-212A, registration EI-FAT, arrived at Cork Airport on a scheduled commercial flight from Manchester. During the disembarkation process at Stand 8, a passenger fell from the top of the aircraft's passenger door stairs to the ground. The passenger, who was carrying hand luggage, sustained a broken shoulder, a head injury, and bruising to the knee and hip.
Witnesses at the scene provided varying accounts of the fall; some noted the passenger lost balance or tripped, while the passenger herself recalled attempting to grab the handrail to stop the fall but being unsuccessful. The weather at the time was reported as cold and wet.
The investigation
The AAIU examined the condition of the aircraft stairs and the maintenance records of the operator. Inspections by both the operator's maintenance staff and AAIU investigators confirmed that the stairs were in a serviceable condition. The handrails were functioning correctly, hazard markings were present on the edges and rails, and the non-slip covering was in good condition.
The investigation also reviewed the response of emergency services. While the Airport Police Fire Service arrived immediately to provide medical monitoring and comfort, there was a significant delay in the arrival of an ambulance, which did not reach the scene until approximately one hour after the incident occurred.
Findings
- The aircraft stairs and safety features, including handrails and non-slip surfaces, were fully functional and well-maintained.
- The passenger was carrying hand luggage and wearing footwear that may have contributed to the incident.
- The time taken for the ambulance to arrive at the airport was significantly longer than the typical response time and exceeded recommended targets for patients with serious injuries.
- The period a passenger spends on aircraft steps represents a higher risk of injury relative to the total flight duration.