What happened
On 31 December 2002, a Boeing 737-230, registration EI-CNT, arrived at London Stansted Airport following a flight from Londonderry. The aircraft was positioned at Stand C50, where ground handling staff prepared to disembark the 127 passengers using mobile steps at the rear left-hand door. As the disembarkation process began, a female passenger stepped from the cabin onto the top step of the mobile unit. During this movement, her foot slipped, causing her to fall and resulting in a badly dislocated knee. Emergency services were summoned to the scene, and the passenger was subsequently transported to Harlow Hospital for treatment.
The investigation
Investigators examined the condition of the mobile steps and the environmental circumstances at the time of the incident. A technical inspection of the equipment revealed that the steps were in good working order, with the parking brake engaged, stabilizers deployed, and safety guard rails in place. The metal treads, featuring a raised grid pattern, were found to be dry and free of grease. An officer from the Airport Police noted that while the steps were positioned correctly with the first tread at an appropriate height below the door sill, the weather conditions were cold, wet, and windy, which rendered the treads slippery.
Flight crew records confirmed an air temperature of 1°C and light north-easterly winds. The injured passenger noted that while the slip caused the injury, an announcement regarding the condition of the steps might have been beneficial.
Findings
- The primary cause of the injury was the passenger's foot slipping on the metal treads of the mobile steps.
- Adverse weather conditions, specifically cold and wet weather, contributed to the slippery nature of the steps despite the equipment being in proper working order.