Plane accident steps removal procedure 'was not authorised'

A TUI flight attendant was seriously injured in a fall from a plane at East Midlands Airport (EMA), an accident investigation report found.

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The senior crew member, who had over 36 years’ experience, was closing the aircraft's front door when she put her left foot on the steps.

These were then pushed away from the plane and, despite efforts to hang on to the door, the woman fell.

She broke bones and required a significant period of recovery, a report published by the Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) revealed on Thursday.

The incident occurred on December 16, on a flight for Lanzarote.

The AAIB said the primary dispatcher was also still at the top of the stairs to pass paperwork to the flight crew, but was able to hang on to the side rail to prevent himself from falling.

A total of three dispatchers, who are responsible for coordinating the aircraft on the ground, were present, along with four ramp staff members.

The AAIB said “it was not clear who had responsibility for checking the aircraft door was closed and steps were clear”.

One of the dispatchers was at the bottom of the steps, while a second had just come off them when the ramp staff assumed the door closure was complete and the steps could be moved away from the aircraft.