What happened
Between March and July 2025, three separate incidents occurred involving passengers falling from the integrated airstairs of Boeing 7/37 aircraft during disembarkation at Italian airports.
On 22 March 2025, at Genoa/Sestri Airport, a passenger on a Ryanair Boeing 737/800/8AS, registration EI-EBC, fell while exiting the forward airstairs at stand 405. The passenger sustained serious injuries and was transported to a hospital by ambulance.
On 24 March 2025, at Venice/Tessera Airport, a passenger on a Malta Air Boeing 737/800/8AS, registration EI-DPI, fell from approximately halfway down the forward airstairs at stand 322. The passenger, who was carrying two pieces of luggage, sustained serious injuries to the left arm and shoulder and was treated by on-board medical staff before being taken to the hospital.
On 10 July 2025, at Bologna Airport, a passenger on a Ryanair Boeing 737/800, registration EI-EFE, fell from the third step of the forward airstairs. The passenger, who was carrying a bag in each hand, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a hospital.
The investigation
The investigations examined aircraft maintenance records, passenger behavior, and environmental factors. For the incident in Genoa, investigators noted that while the airstairs showed no anomalies, the structure is inherently steeper and narrower than standard airport stairs.
In the Venice incident, surveillance footage and crew reports indicated the passenger was carrying two bags, preventing the use of the handrail. Maintenance records for EI-DPI showed recent work on the anti-slip material and handrail switches.
Regarding the Bologna incident, airport surveillance footage showed the passenger's hands were occupied by bulky luggage, preventing them from grasping the handrail. Medical records from the hospital revealed the passenger had a blood alcohol level of 2.34 g/l at the time of the incident.
Findings
In all three cases, the primary contributing factor was the failure of the passenger to use the handrail as required by operator procedures.
- In Genoa, the steep and narrow design of the integrated stairs, featuring a step with a different profile, likely contributed to a loss of balance.
- In Venice, the passenger's use of both hands to carry luggage prevented them from utilizing the handrail.
- In Bologna, the passenger's inability to use the handrail due to carrying two large bags, combined with an impaired physical state due to high alcohol consumption, led to the fall.