Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 21 October 2015
Aircraft Type: Boeing 757-223 (WL)
Owner/operator: American Airlines
Registration Number: N183AN
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, TX (DFW/KDFW) – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Standing
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 167
Component Affected: Aisle chairAisle chair
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A quadriplegic passenger requiring assistance was moved to his seat on the airplane after boarding. Gate agents secured him in an aisle chair using belts, and he slid to the floor during transfer. Crew reported an injury and requested emergency services, leading to transport to a hospital for a broken right tibia.A quadriplegic passenger requiring assistance was moved to his seat on the airplane after boarding. Gate agents secured him in an aisle chair using belts, and he slid to the floor during transfer. Crew reported an injury and requested emergency services, leading to transport to a hospital for a broken right tibia.

Description

According to a company report, after boarding all other passengers, gate agents proceeded with boarding a quadriplegic passenger who required assistance and use of an aisle chair to be moved to his seat on the airplane. A seatbelt and additional belts across the passenger’s chest were used to secure him in the aisle chair while moving him onboard. When the belts were removed in order to transfer the passenger from the aisle chair to the airplane seat the passenger slid to the floor.ÿ The passenger was then lifted into his seat by the gate agents. According to crew statements, after the gate agents left the airplane and the jetway had been retracted, a flight attendant (FA) observed that the passenger appeared to be injured and the crew requested emergency services. The passenger was transported to a hospital and diagnosed with a broken right tibia. Probable Cause: the disabled passenger not being properly secured during the transfer from the aisle chair causing him to slide to floor and receive a serious injury.

Primary Cause

Failure to properly secure the passenger during the transfer from the aisle chair, resulting in his slide to the floor and subsequent injury.Failure to properly secure the passenger during the transfer from the aisle chair, resulting in his slide to the floor and subsequent injury.

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