A 3-year-old girl’s fall from the forward integral airstair of a Ryanair Boeing 737-800 — an approximate height of 8.5 to 9.0 ft (2.6 to 2.7 m) — has prompted the U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to issue several safety recommendations, including one for airstair modification. She was released from a hospital after a 24-hour assessment and treatment of minor injuries.
The child had climbed the airstair to the upper platform followed by her mother, who was carrying a younger sibling and a carry-on bag. “Due to her mother’s lack of a free hand, the child climbed the airstair unassisted, but she held onto the lower handrail,” the report said. “When [the girl] reached the top of the stairs, she turned towards her mother, leaned backwards and fell through the gap between the extendable handrail and the top of the airstair, onto the hardstanding [ramp pavement] below.” Other passengers also were on the airstair at the time.
The incident occurred at 1225 local …
