Passenger Injury During Deplaning at Toulouse-Blagnac (F-HBXO)

Incident Overview and Immediate Response On November 16, 2017, at approximately 20:50 local time, an Embraer ERJ170 operated by Hop! and registered F-HBXO arrived at Toulouse-Blagnac from Nantes. The aircraft was parked away from the terminal, and a self-propelled ABS580 stair was positioned at the forward left door. During deplaning, a passenger lost her balance and fell onto the stair platform, resulting in injuries. Airport first-aid personnel were notified and requested assistance from the airport fire service (SSLIA). Firefighters assessed the passenger, suspected a fractured ankle, and immobilized her leg with a splint. They contacted the SAMU for hospital transport, but were informed that an ambulance would take two to three hours to arrive. Due to this delay, the passenger agreed to be driven to the hospital by her companion. At the hospital, she was diagnosed with fractures of both malleoli and the tibia. ## Testimonies and Contributing Factors The injured passenger stated that she was surprised by the height difference between the aircraft door and the stair platform, causing her foot to land heavily and crack before she fell. She noted that she did not have a suitcase in her hand at the time. The cabin chief observed the incident and believed the stair was correctly positioned, though the platform had a slight incline that may have contributed to the fall. The cabin chief also noted the passenger was carrying several bags, which could have affected her balance. Another witness reported seeing a bag strike the aircraft door frame, potentially causing the passenger to lose her balance. ## Equipment and Rescue Procedures The ABS580 stair is designed for aircraft with door sill heights between 2.45 and 6.00 meters, while the ERJ170's forward left door height is between 2.54 and 2.63 meters. Ground agents confirmed the stair was correctly positioned, and a photograph taken at the scene estimated the height difference between the aircraft floor and the stair platform at a maximum of 18 cm. The airport's first-aid post is managed by a contracted company, with rescuers holding PSE2 qualifications. The post has one first-aid vehicle intended for sheltering victims from weather, not for medical transport. Rescuers must call the SAMU for hospital transport, and the delay was likely due to the passenger's non-critical condition and ambulance availability for priority missions. ## Safety Lessons and Recommendations The BEA concluded that the failure to detect the standard step height between the aircraft and stair may have contributed to the fall, as might a slight incline of the stair platform. The stair was appropriate for the aircraft type, and the step height was standard. The investigation could not determine if the passenger was carrying bags that caused her to lose balance. The report suggests that pre-deplaning announcements reminding passengers to watch their step, or verbal reminders by crew members at the door, could enhance passenger vigilance and improve safety.