The Air Accident Investigation Branch has published a report into an accident where a member of Cabin Crew fell from steps whilst closing the aircraft door for departure.
The incident occurred at East Midlands Airport in mid-December 2024.
As the aircraft front passenger door was being closed by the Senior Cabin Crew Member (SCCM), the steps were pushed away from the aircraft, however they were unable to avoid falling into the gap created between the steps and the aircraft.
The female crew member fell onto the ramp sustaining serious injuries.
The step removal occurred despite the aircraft door being open and a dispatcher still at the top of the steps. An aircraft dispatcher, also known as a ground pilot, is a certified professional responsible for planning and overseeing all aspects of a flight to ensure its safe, efficient, and on schedule.
There were multiple dispatchers and ramp staff working around the steps and it was not clear who had responsibility for checking that the aircraft door was closed and steps were clear.
The report from the AAIB said: "The presence of one of these dispatchers at the bottom of the steps, with another stepping off the bottom meant the ramp staff moving the steps assumed that the door closure was complete.
"The process of door closure and step removal had been the subject of a procedural workaround at East Midlands Airport and other UK airports where the ground handling company operated. This procedural workaround had been happening for many years and had not been identified in audits."
The report concluded that both the ground handling company and the operator had since taken safety action to address issues raised in the investigation.
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