What happened
On 14:10 local time on 17 October 2024, a passenger fell while disembarking a Boeing 737-8200, registration EI-HAY, at Alicante Airport, Spain. The aircraft, operated by Ryanair, had arrived from Porto, Portugal.
During the disembarkation process, which utilized both mobile stairs and the aircraft's integrated retractable airstair, the tenth passenger to exit via the forward airstair lost their footing. The passenger fell from the fourth step of the airstair, descending to the tenth step. The passenger sustained one serious injury, specifically a fractured right ankle, which required surgical intervention following an assessment by the airport medical service.
The investigation
The investigation examined the physical characteristics of the aircraft's integrated airstair compared to standard mobile stairs. It also reviewed meteorological conditions, which were clear and warm, and analyzed airport security footage of the event. The investigation looked into the passenger's compliance with disembarkation procedures and the certification standards of the aircraft's equipment.
Investigators noted that while the integrated airstair is certified by the FAA and EASA, its geometric properties—including a steeper slope and larger riser—differ significantly from standard ground-based mobile stairs. The investigation also reviewed the effectiveness of the airline's passenger safety instructions provided in the passenger's native language.