Passenger Stand Failure Leads to Child Injury at St. John's Airport

Casualties unknown • St. John's, Newfoundland, CA

A mechanical failure of a passenger stand's locking mechanism caused the stairs to descend during deplaning, resulting in a child falling to the apron.

What happened

Upon the arrival of Air Canada Flight 861 from London, England, at the St. John's Airport, the aircraft was positioned at an open ramp gate because the airport lacks direct customs access from the passenger bridge. To facilitate deplaning, a passenger stand was placed at the L1 door. As the first group of passengers exited, a flight attendant noticed the stand was slowly drifting away from the aircraft. During this moment of instability, a five-year-old child, who was following a family, fell from the stairs between the aircraft and the apron. The child sustained a broken arm and head lacerations and required hospital treatment.

The investigation

Investigators examined the Trailbec BMH series passenger stand, which uses a hydraulic cylinder to adjust stair height. The upper portion of the stairs is secured by a mechanical pawl and dog locking system, held in place by a spring and released via an electric solenoid. The investigation determined that the pawl had only partially engaged the dog rail, causing it to slip under the weight of passengers.

Further examination revealed that the equipment was 130 hours overdue for a required service check. Additionally, the investigation found that the maintenance procedures for ground support equipment were not being followed. The physical inspection of the mechanism was also hindered by design and maintenance factors: the pawl, dog rail, and surrounding components were all painted the same dark green color, and a structural brace on this specific unit blocked the operator's line of sight.

Probable cause

The primary cause was a malfunctioning locking mechanism that allowed the stairs to disengage. Contributing factors included a failure to adhere to the maintenance schedule, the lack of a requirement for visual inspection of the locking system, and the fact that the mechanism was difficult to inspect due to uniform paint colors and obstructed visibility.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1999-03-31 Boeing 767-200, C-FBEM accident near St. John's, Newfoundland, CA?

A mechanical failure of a passenger stand's locking mechanism caused the stairs to descend during deplaning, resulting in a child falling to the apron.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1999-03-31 involved a Boeing 767-200, C-FBEM, operated by Air Canada, at St. John's, Newfoundland, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause was a malfunctioning locking mechanism that allowed the stairs to disengage. Contributing factors included a failure to adhere to the maintenance schedule, the lack of a requirement for visual inspection of the locking system, and the fact that the mechanism was difficult to inspect due to uniform…

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