Boarding safety of commuter aircraft.

[esa-aardvark]

Recently flew Auckland to Napier on the ATR72. I do this route a bit, Usually
by chance I fly Dash 8 (Bombardier ??). I found the steps, almost vertical, shaky,
almost life threatening to use. Particularly when disembarking. No problem at all with the Dash 8.
Obviously aircraft safety is scrutinised by the authorities, but how is the
safety of embarking & disembarking passengers established.
Many thanks, John

[+TSRA]

Are you asking how is the door certified to carry weight or are you asking about the procedures?

Although the ATR door is slightly narrower and steeper than the Dash-8 (you're correct, Bombardier, although de Havilland before that) it is structurally sound and has roughly the same weight bearing capacity - IIRC around 300 - 350 pounds or so - it has been a while. :)

The Dash-8 door does have a limitation that only one person may be on the door at one time. I actually had a Dash-8 door break on me when a rather larger gentleman got on the bottom step of the door while an equally large gentleman was on the top step. They didn't listen when the Flight Attendant said "one at a time please..." But when I say break, I mean that the two struts snapped in half. The actual door remained fixed to the aircraft even with all that weight on it and after an inspection by maintenance, we were cleared to go knowing we would be at a bridge at destination.

I would assume that the ATR door would feature the same one person limitation. Of course, the average passenger doesn't know or care and you'll have three people on the door at once. This does damage the door over time and could account for the shakiness you felt - although, it is unlikely that it would have actually been life threatening as it would take a lot for those struts and the door to separate from the aircraft - even though I have no doubt that's what it felt like!

Incidentally, both the Dash-8 and ATR are classed as Transport Category aircraft, not Commuter Category aircraft...a very common mistake, but one that sparks the ire of pilots from both types! :)

[Rwy in Sight]

we were cleared to go knowing we would be at a bridge at destination.



Do you mean that a Dash8 aircraft can use a contact stand or a loading bridge? If yes I learned a brand new fact today.

[esa-aardvark]

Sorry if my original post was unclear. I was referring to the almost vertical
steps at the rear door of the ATR72. By coincidence I had dinner this evening
with a friend who showed me a photo of a Dash 8 at my local airport.
They now have a quite long kind of a 'bridge' which they use instead of
the Aircrafts own steps. I suppose that having this thing they will also use
it for the ATR. Obviously I did not mean to imply that the Aircraft or its doors
was unsafe, I only wondered how the safety of the steps was determined.
Thanks to those who responded. John

[jackieofalltrades]

Do you mean that a Dash8 aircraft can use a contact stand or a loading bridge? If yes I learned a brand new fact today.

Yes, I've boarded a Dash8 via a jetbridge several times. If memory recalls correctly, at Newark was the last time I did it. I was quite grateful as it was raining at the time so avoided getting too wet.

[Rwy in Sight]

Thanks for the answer. It has never occured to me, plus I did not know what happens with the boarding steps - once the door opens the steps are folding out.

[Di_Vosh]

In Australia (Qantaslink) we have two types of ramps other than the use of the Dash-8 stairs.

One is a small covered ramp that connects from a standard aerobridge to the Dash doorway, and the other is a "Q-ramp" which is about 10m long and is a ramp to the tarmac.

Both fit to the forward exit of the Q400 (also fit onto a Q300).

DIVOSH!

[James331]

....
almost life threatening to use. Particularly when disembarking....




You're ether a drama queen or a idiot, which is it?



If you felt your life was in danger and proceeded to not only climb the stairs once, but go back down them, RISKING YOUR MORTAL LIFE a second time, that makes you a idiot.

If you didn't feel as mentioned above, that makes you a drama queen.

[fa2fi]

Used both. Never had a problem. Integral 737 forward stairs however are a different story.

[S.o.S.]

James331 It does not make the previous poster 'an idiot' or anything else. They may have overstated but that is the nature of conversation. Besides, English might not be the first language of the person writing. So please keep a level response. I am not trying to stop discussion but stop people being rude.

[esa-aardvark]

Hello James331,
I don't think I'm an idiot (obviously), I don't think I'm a drama queen.
I spend more than half the year flying about the world. I do find that the ATR72
built in steps are extremely steep and do seem dangerous. I still do wonder how the
safety of these is determined. I think that it's significant that an alternative is in use
at my local airport. I do suggest that you re-read your unfortunate comments.
No more comments from me on this subject.
Kind regards, John

[Rwy in Sight]

it's significant that an alternative is in use
at my local airport.


What is the alternative on your airport John? Do they wheel a set of steps on the right side door or something else?

[PAXfips]

Cannot recall the Dash-8 steps right now, but it's also a bit creepy on a CRJ900.

Yet.. any bird operated in commercial flights have to tested on the 90s time benchmark?

[esa-aardvark]

I said no more comments.. but still since you ask politely.

"Q-ramp" which is about 10m long and is a ramp to the tarmac.

Mentioned a few posts ago.
Seems like the thing that they use at Napier which is where I am just now.
Can't vouch for the 10 metres tho'

[PAXboy]

Evacuation times are based on using emergency exits and slides.

[750XL]

I've lost count of the amount of times I've nearly fell down CRJ-900 steps over the years :}:}