What happened
On 8 October 2018, an Embraer 190-100 SR, registration G-LCYL, was performing a commercial passenger flight when it arrived at London City Airport. During the landing phase, a rear galley cabin bar trolley that had not been properly secured dislodged from its stowage position. The trolley rolled forward through the passenger cabin toward the front of the aircraft.
As the trolley moved through the cabin, it struck several passengers. In total, four passengers sustained minor injuries; while most were treated on the aircraft or at the terminal, one individual required further medical attention at a local hospital. The movement of the trolley was eventually halted by a crew member seated near Door 1 Left, after which the trolley was moved to the forward galley and secured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the movement of the trolley and the potential impact on emergency procedures. It was determined that because the trolley had traveled through the cabin, Door 1 Right would have been obstructed and therefore unusable had an emergency evacuation been required immediately following landing. The investigation relied on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was an unsecured rear galley cabin bar trolley.
- The trolley's movement through the cabin created a potential obstruction to an emergency exit.
- The incident resulted in minor injuries to four passengers and damage to armrest bumpers at seats 18B and 18C.
Safety action
Following the incident, the operator conducted a review of its internal protocols. The company has since updated and revised its Safety and Emergency Procedures to mandate that both the galley and cabin areas are confirmed as secure prior to landing.