Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 8 February 2003
Aircraft Type: ATR 72-212
Owner/operator: American Eagle Airlines
Registration Number: N448AM
Location: San Juan, PR –
ÿ Puerto Rico
Phase of Flight: Unknown
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 62
Component Affected: Aft passenger stair handrailAft passenger stair handrail
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
An airplane incident occurred when a passenger exited the aircraft and, while attempting to retrieve a handrail, fell from the top of the stairs, resulting in serious injuries.An airplane incident occurred when a passenger exited the aircraft and, while attempting to retrieve a handrail, fell from the top of the stairs, resulting in serious injuries.
Description
According the airline’s director of safety, the airplane had arrived at the terminal and was in the process of deplaning. The director of safety further stated that as the as the 53rd passenger in the sequence of 58 passengers exited the airplane, she grabbed the handrail at the top of the stairs, and the handrail collapsed. He said the passenger fell from the top of the stairs to the ground, and sustained serious injuries. Postincident examination of the hand rail and its locking mechanism did not reveal any anomalies. Probable Cause: The aft passenger stair handrail collapsing due to undetermined reasons.
Primary Cause
Undetermined reasons for the collapse of the aft passenger stair handrail.Undetermined reasons for the collapse of the aft passenger stair handrail.Share on:
