HANOVER- A TUI Airways (BY) flight attendant was seriously injured on December 16 after falling from a Boeing 737 at East Midlands Airport in England. The incident occurred as the aircraft was preparing for departure to Lanzarote (ACE), leading to a quick medical response.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has initiated an investigation into the circumstances, highlighting concerns about aviation safety and ground handling procedures.
TUI Flight Attendant Falls
On the afternoon of December 16, a TUI Airways (BY) flight attendant fell from the open door of a Boeing 737.
The accident occurred after the aircraft’s mobile airstairs had been moved away, leaving no platform attached to the plane. Witnesses onboard confirmed that preparations for departure were underway, with all doors initially secured.
However, the flight attendant reopened one of the main boarding doors, mistakenly assuming the airstairs were still in place.
The East Midlands Ambulance Service responded swiftly, dispatching multiple emergency units, including an air ambulance, to the scene. The injured crew member was transported to Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham for urgent medical attention.
The AAIB has launched an investigation, sending experts to interview crew members and examine safety protocols.
The findings will be crucial for understanding how such an incident could occur and preventing similar accidents in the future.
Similar Incidents
This incident is part of a troubling pattern involving falls from aircraft doors during boarding or deplaning.
In 2020, a Finnair (AY) flight attendant was injured in a similar situation at Helsinki Airport when mobile airstairs were suddenly removed, causing the crew member to fall.
In 2018, an Air India (AI) flight attendant suffered severe injuries, including broken heels and a leg fracture, after falling from a Boeing 777 while closing a cabin door without proper ground support equipment.
More recently, a video from Indonesia went viral, showing a ground worker falling from airstairs prematurely detached from an aircraft.
These cases underscore the critical need for stringent safety measures during ground operations. Ensuring proper communication between cabin crew and ground staff, along with adherence to protocols, can significantly mitigate risks.
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