What happened
On November 16, 2017, an Embraer ERJ170, registration F-HBXO, operated by Hop!, arrived at Toulouse Blagnac from Nantes. During the disembarkation process, an automated passenger stair (type ABS580) had been positioned at the forward left door. As a passenger exited the aircraft, she lost her balance and fell onto the stair platform.
Airport rescue and fire services (SSLIA) responded to the scene and provided immediate medical care, including the application of a splint to the passenger's leg. Due to a significant delay in the availability of an ambulance from the SAMU, the passenger was transported to the terminal via a first-aid vehicle and subsequently taken to the hospital by a private vehicle. Medical examinations later confirmed that the passenger had suffered fractures to both malleoli and the tibia.
The investigation
The investigation examined the positioning of the stairs, the physical state of the equipment, and the circumstances of the fall. The passenger noted that the height difference between the aircraft door and the stair platform was unexpected, causing her foot to land heavily and trigger the fall. Witnesses provided varying accounts; a cabin crew member suggested the platform might have had a slight inclination, while another suggested that luggage carried by the passenger might have caused her to lose balance.
Technical analysis of the ABS580 stair confirmed it was appropriate for the aircraft type, as the door height of the Embraer ERJ170 falls within the equipment's operational range. Ground personnel stated the stairs were correctly positioned, and the vertical gap between the aircraft floor and the platform was estimated at a maximum of 18 cm, which is within standard parameters.
Findings
- The failure to detect the height difference between the aircraft threshold and the stair platform contributed to the accident.
- A slight inclination of the stair platform may have further destabilized the passenger.
- While the stairs were technically compatible with the aircraft, the transition between the aircraft and the equipment presented a trip hazard.