Overview
The Italian National Flight Safety Agency (ANSV) investigated three separate incidents occurring at Italian airports in 2025, involving passengers falling from the integrated forward airstairs of Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Ryanair. All three events resulted in serious injuries to a single passenger each. No aircraft damage was reported in any of the incidents.
Incident 1: Genoa Airport – 22 March 2025
On 22 March 2025, at 17:35 UTC, flight FR5026 from Catania-Fontanarossa Airport to Genoa-Sestri Airport concluded its journey. While deplaning via the forward airstairs at stand 405, a passenger fell and sustained serious injuries. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-800 with registration EI-EBC, carrying 175 persons on board. Investigation found no anomalies with the airstairs. The operator reported that the passenger was initially assisted by cabin crew while airport medical services were alerted, and the passenger was later transported to the hospital by ambulance. The cause was determined to be likely the passenger's inattention while using the integrated forward airstairs, which are steeper and narrower than typical airport stairs and have a different step design that may have contributed to loss of balance.
Incident 2: Venice Airport – 24 March 2025
On 24 March 2025, at 21:55 UTC, flight FR1552 from Cagliari-Elmas Airport to Venice-Tessera Airport concluded. During deplaning using the forward airstairs at stand 322, a passenger fell from approximately halfway down the stairs, sustaining serious injuries to the left arm and shoulder. The aircraft was a Boeing 737-800 with registration EI-DPI, carrying 172 persons. Night lighting conditions prevailed with no recent or ongoing precipitation. The passenger was initially assisted by cabin crew and a doctor on board, then by airport rescue services and ambulance. Video evidence showed the passenger was carrying two bags while descending. The operator's procedures require passengers to hold the handrail during deplaning. The cause was attributed to the passenger not using the handrail while carrying luggage; the steep and narrow stair design with a different step may have contributed.
Incident 3: Bologna Airport – 10 July 2025
On 10 July 2025, at 16:05 UTC, during deplaning at Bologna Airport, a passenger fell from the forward airstairs of a Boeing 737-800 with registration EI-EFE, sustaining serious injuries. The weather was partly cloudy with visibility over 10 km and no precipitation. The passenger was disembarking via the forward airstairs while the rear airstairs were provided by a handler. Video footage showed the passenger descending with both hands occupied by two bags, without using the handrail. The passenger fell at the third step and did not release the bags during the fall, preventing self-protection. Medical tests revealed a blood alcohol level of 2.34 g/l. The operator's procedures require passengers to hold the handrail. The cause was the passenger not using the handrail as per procedure, and likely contributed by alcohol-induced impairment.
Causes
The ANSV determined the following causes for the incidents:
- Incident 1: Passenger inattention while using the forward airstairs; the steep, narrow design with a different step may have contributed.
- Incident 2: Passenger not using the handrail while carrying two bags; stair design may have contributed.
- Incident 3: Passenger not using the handrail while carrying two bags; alcohol impairment (2.34 g/l) likely contributed.