The U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has recommended design reviews and modifications of emergency exits on public transport aircraft following an emergency landing in which passengers in an Embraer 195 became confused about how to use an overwing exit.
The AAIB issued the safety recommendations as a result of its investigation of the Aug. 1, 2008, incident that prompted the emergency landing at Ronaldsway Airport on the Isle of Man. Five of the 95 people in the airplane received minor injuries during the evacuation.
About 10 minutes after takeoff on a scheduled passenger flight from Manchester, England, to Belfast, Northern Ireland, the no. 1 air cycle machine (ACM) failed, sending fumes onto the flight deck. The cabin crew reported an unusual odor and a haze in parts of the cabin.
The pilots donned oxygen masks and, because the commander was concerned about the possibility of fire, declared an emergency and diverted to Ronaldsway. The fumes and smoke intensified duri…
