What happened
On 27 December 2006, a Shorts SD3-60 Variant 100, registration G-BPFN, was prepared for a scheduled passenger service from Jersey Airport to Guernsey. During the boarding process, an elderly passenger, accompanied by two relatives and a member of the ground crew, used the aircraft's integral rear ladder to enter the cabin. As the passenger climbed the steps, his right foot slipped on the front edge of the top tread, causing his shin to strike the ladder.
Upon noticing the passenger's bleeding leg, the cabin attendant requested medical assistance. Airport paramedics arrived to treat the individual before he was transferred to the care of the Jersey Ambulance Service and transported to a hospital. Following the incident, the aircraft's load sheet was updated to reflect the change in passenger status, and the flight proceeded as planned.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanics of the boarding process and the condition of the aircraft's entrance. The aircraft features a single main door at the rear left of the fuselage, equipped with a four-step integral ladder. The treads of this ladder are finished with non-slip paint or tape.
Investigators confirmed that the ladder was in a serviceable condition and functioned as intended. There was no evidence suggesting that the design of the steps or the boarding procedure itself contributed to the slip. Furthermore, the AAIB found no prior reports of similar incidents involving this aircraft type.