easyJet pilot injured after falling from a/c [Archive]

Few Cloudy

9th Feb 2003, 08:32

It's all too easy to forget how high up the sill is - in GVA on an MD-80 a hostess held the leather strap and leant out - the single self tapping screw pulling away. She also hit her head and was injured. This lousy construction was meant to steady the cabin crew member while shutting the door.

In BCN, where the jetty has an acute angle and slope, where it abuts the ship, I have seen pax stumble and fall against the jetty window (a sheet of perspex, which could give way).

A lady pax fell from the steps disembarking a DC-10 and was unfortunately fataly injured in ZRH.

Best of luck with the recovery. And let's take care out there.

LTNman

9th Feb 2003, 13:13

This story from The Sunday Mail:

PILOT FALLS OUT OF PLANE

Nigel Duncan

A PILOT was rushed to hospital after falling out of his plane yesterday. He slipped while closing a door shortly after his easyJet flight landed. Crew colleagues watched helplessly as the pilot fell 15ft to the tarmac. He is understood to have suffered serious back injuries as he struggle to close the plane's door in high winds. Ground staff rushed to his aid and he was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

EasyJet confirmed last night the pilot - who has not been named - was in a serious condition with multiple injuries. A spokeswoman said: "He is conscious."

The pilot is from the Edinburgh area and members of his family were at his bedside.

The incident happened at around 3pm after the EZY33 schedule service from Luton touched down. Around 80 passengers had left the aircraft.

The spokeswoman added: "An investigation is underway. I cannot say what happened but as far as I am aware nothing like it has happened to us before. "I can confirm that the pilot had finished his shift and was due to go home."

maxy101

9th Feb 2003, 16:54

It does sound nasty. I gather that Health and Safety regs in the UK were changed several years ago banning opening and closing doors without ground support equipment in place. Does anybody know if this was the case?

FlapsOne

9th Feb 2003, 17:06

Let's not start any speculation please!

A friend and very highly respected pilot is in hospital at the moment in intensive care following a dreadful accident. Let's just wish him and his family well.

As of this morning he had come through the operation well. He has serious head and spinal injuries and remains very poorly.

This is not the place for any debate on whether or not he did this or that, or whether or not certain rules were in place or not.

Save it for later, please!

Orange In Cider

9th Feb 2003, 19:05

FlapsOne, I agree with you about the speculation, and I don't know the details. However, Maxy makes a valid point.....and of course when opening and closing the door of a 737 using airstairs, you need to disconnect the top of the railings from the aircraft, leaving a nice little gap on either side. This incident has highlighted this risk, and fellow pilots should be aware and be careful.

Our thoughts are with him, and hoping he has a full and speedy recovery.

idgas

9th Feb 2003, 19:37

Get well soon.

Cheers, :cool:

springbok449

9th Feb 2003, 20:00

I agree with you Flaps one, no time to speculate.
All my thoughts with him and his family in these difficult times.
Regards,
Bokkie.

LTNman

9th Feb 2003, 20:10

The following disturbing comments comes from the EDI newsgroup.

“What I find shocking is the time wasted trying to find medical help, and in the end relying on passengers to come to his aid. Surely there should be an emergency team at EDI to cope with incidents like these? That said, I hope he recovers fully soon.”

opsflyer53

9th Feb 2003, 22:22

Ltnman

I agree, it is disturbing. I know the capt concerned well and I also know all the facts, I was on shift and involved in the process.

Not only did it take a long time for the ambulance to arrive, it also took a long time for the fire services to arrive. Also, the ramp phones on Stand 7 (where the incident happened) and Stand 8 were not working! These had been reported as such in the previous days, but no one seemed too concerned - I bet they get fixed in a hurry now!

I heard tonight that the capt is responding to treament and I hope he makes a very speedy recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

jc2354

9th Feb 2003, 23:10

Such a tragic accident. Exactly why I insist the ground crew to close the doors. I will not risk the health and lives of my crew.

Should anyone come across a name and address for this individual, I hope you will share it with me through Email.

Thanks
Jack

IcePack

9th Feb 2003, 23:17

I know no names so lets keep it that way:
However any chance of a yes or no to the initials K.R
Nearly fell out of a 75 a couple of years back trying to close a door in strong winds so I know how easy it is to do.
Lets hope he recovers fully & my heartfelt best wishes to his family.

walla

9th Feb 2003, 23:31

icepack,
Yes it was K.R.

Electric Sky

9th Feb 2003, 23:32

It reminds us all that being around aircraft on the ground is full of hazards.

Get well soon and hope for a speedy recovery.

ES :(

IcePack

10th Feb 2003, 00:36

Thanks Walla, he has lots of friends at the place I work from. Will let them know.

LTNman

10th Feb 2003, 06:07

Will there be an investigation by the United Kingdom Air Accidents Investigation Branch seeing that the aircraft was undamaged? There needs to be an independent investigation into the failings of BAA at EDI in providing help quickly.
:mad:

redadair

10th Feb 2003, 07:58

Got to agree with LTNman.

Been based at EDI for a while now. Not surprised land comms were U/S. EDI have a lot to learn. Are all BAA fields like this?

Speedy recovery to the Easy Skipper.

Speedmaster

10th Feb 2003, 10:04

My best wishes to said Captain, he is someone I get on well with and see often. Very much a family man and gets on with everybody.

The situation at Edi with reagrds to medical cover is dire. There is no medical cover on site and if it is required, an amubulance needs to be called from St john's hospital in Livingston which I have seen take 20 plus mins ay night, worse still in the busy parts of the day.

Max Angle

10th Feb 2003, 11:12

I gather that Health and Safety regs in the UK were changed several years ago banning opening and closing doors without ground support equipment in place. Must say thats' news to me and to most other people I suspect. Bet most cabin/flight crew and engineers still retract the airstairs first and then close the door.

As to medical cover, only the largest airports have thier own paramedics etc. on duty. LHR does and I suspect LGW will but that's probably it in the UK apart from first aiders.

741A

10th Feb 2003, 11:33

STN has recently trialed on-airport paramedics, not sure what the outcome was but the aim was primarily to save money on call-outs of ambulance crews from the nearest A & E at Harlow. By the way, it's always worth asking the medics if a local helicopter air ambulance is available when traffic congestion is a factor and a life is in danger.
Best wishes to KR for a speedy and full recovery.

edipilot

10th Feb 2003, 14:16

I work at EDI, but for different airline. Just wanted to wish the best for a speedy and complete recovery to said captain and sympathy to his family. Made me think how easily a simple action can have a terrible consequence.

no sig

10th Feb 2003, 14:45

Ltnman

They have of course been notified, they will decide once they receive internal investigation reports.

FlapsOne

10th Feb 2003, 15:07

Just to try and get a clearer picture in my own head, does anyone know if he was closing the door from the inside and somehow tumbled out, or if he was closing it from the outside and fell from the airstairs?

Deeko01

10th Feb 2003, 16:36

l would like to extend my best wishes to Captain Ken Rutherford and hope he has a speedy recovery, here is what today's Daily Record had to say about it :

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/page.cfm?objectid=12624385&method=full&siteid=89488

Regards
Del Boy

LTNman

10th Feb 2003, 17:30

I heard a few weeks back that TBI are to remove medical cover from Luton and make the medical staff redundant. :mad: :mad:

Jetset320

10th Feb 2003, 18:07

On a similar thread and of particular note to bus drivers:

On A320s, (at least ours!), for the forward galley waste bin to be extracted for cleaning, the forward pantry door has to opened to be able to remove the bin during turnaround.

Last week, during a turnaround in Catania, an approaching thunderstorm provided a very stiff and gusty wind right through the open passenger entry door. At the same time, the cleaner asked for the pantry door to be opened for him to get on with the job.

I opened the door, and as the stiff wind was a 'tailwind', the door became like a sail and opened away with a jolt, nearly pulling me right out with it. I was quick to hold on with my free hand, which saved the day really.

It had never occured to me before, neither physically nor mentally, but it sure will from now on before I do any door opening!!:eek:

pilotwolf

10th Feb 2003, 18:30

Get Well Soon...

A couple of points re medical cover.

1. AFS are required to attend medical calls as well as ambulances, subject to local agreements - eg LGW.
2. NHS Ambulances are not attached to hospitals - ambulance trusts operate independantly to local hospitals.
3. LGW has a paramedic on duty 0600 to 0000 hrs every day - soley dedicated to the airport. When (s)he is commited to another incident the nearest ambulance will be tasked but AFS will attend immediately. BAA contribute to the costs of this cover.
4. I understand LHR has ambulance cover on site but they are not dedicated to the airport.
5. AFS are well trained in medical incidents and are well able to cope until the arrival of an ambulance.

Ask yourselves how long you would have waited for an ambulance if you were at home? At least as long and you wouldn't have had the benifit of AFS attending.

The NHS is grossly overstretched partially due to the cuts over the last few years and partly due to the absolute CRAP calls we have to attend....

groundhugger

10th Feb 2003, 22:50

regards the medical cover at edi or any other airport for that matter has always baffled me.
Why is it for a sporting event such as a football match they must have medical cover at the event in case of an emergency yet an airport where literally as unfortunately has been proven anything can happen at any hour of the day.

Have seen several incidents at edi in recent years including someone dying I believe after a heart attack.
Not saying they would have survived but they would have stood a better chance with a paid professional taking care of them than someone who has a green cross badge on their jacket.

High concentration of people,stressed out and anxious =

high chance of medical incidents????

NorthStar

11th Feb 2003, 08:55

Best wishes Ken for a speedy and full recovery. We've flown together many times in the past and it was always enjoyable and informative. Wish you and the familly well.

Brgds, NS.

Warped Factor

11th Feb 2003, 15:23

Would also like to wish Ken a speedy and full recovery.

Also, just a reminder that if any similar incident occurs on the ground where assistance is needed, if you can access the r/t quickly and speak to ATC they will most likely have direct lines to at least the police and the airport fire service, they have in all the towers I've worked.

Could be one of the fastest ways of alerting the emergency services to the incident.

WF.

View From The Ground

11th Feb 2003, 22:39

No medical cover probably since it is significantly less profitable......!!!!!!!!!! than shops!!!!!!!! Maybe there should be some legislation that public places whether they be airports or shopping malls have medical cover if there will be more than a certain number of people on site at any one time. Not sure what that number would be though. Speedy recovery to the Captain involved

Shore Guy

12th Feb 2003, 03:49

Well, there is precious little camaraderie left in this industry, but perhaps this is a time we can all show some. Is there an address we can send get well wishes to this unfortunate gent? A couple hundred cards/letters from around the world may make him feel better.

Anti Skid On

12th Feb 2003, 05:57

There is absolutely no way that cover could be provided for the likes of EDI - the likes of Edinburgh Waverley train station has probably twice as many people transit through it daily, and there is more risk there given the number of old rickety stairs, traffic through the station, etc.

For events like football matches the cover is voluntary, the folks from St. Johns ambulance, the red cross, whoever. All unpaid, all doing it for everyones good. For there to be one on duty 24/7 cover for any area, with an appropriately qualified paramedic you would need approx. 4.2FTE's to cover this, to allow for leave, sickness, study, etc. - multiply this by the £25K or so they would need to be paid (plus the unsocial hours pay), and the emplyers contributions for NI, etc and you'd be getting close to £200K per annum for one person. Then what do you do when bloke A has an MI and Mrs. B falls down the escalator - you can't be in two places at once.

I do agree though that a paramedic ambulance should be based in or around the environs of major terminals, this is a better calculated risk, given the number of RTA's that they would be likely to deal with in the proximity.

Shore Guy - perhaps the cards could be sent via easyJet c/o Edinburgh Airport.

(edited for cr@p grammar!)

Shadowpurser

12th Feb 2003, 07:57

Best wishes and a speedy recovery to the gentlemen involved.

For those unaware on the fwd doors on the 737 - to empty the bins at dr 1R you need to have the door open at least half way. After the incident if the lady falling out at EOG, BA have a strict policy not allowing crew to open any door apart from 1L without something being on the other side e.g catering or steps. If nothing is there then we don't touch it and it is left to the cleaners or to ground staff trained to do it. May sound a bit petty but no accidents since, and once ground staff realise the A/C is going nowhere until the bins are emptied people soon start moving.

As for 1R we crack the forward door open enough to check there are no staff outside in the way before deploying the stairs then lower them, but at no time should the door be open more than 10% open which is enough to see outside but not enough for anyone to fall out or the wind to catch it.

I would hope other airlines have the same policies for their doors as this incident highlights the need for these proceedures.

Yarpy

12th Feb 2003, 08:49

Shadowpurser, it sounds like BA have a sound safety mangement policy from which their staff and passengers enjoy the obvious benefits. I certainly haven't heard of this SOP on opening the 1R door in other airlines. Obviously the policy might have prevented the easyJet accident.

We can all learn from this sort of thing.

Dangerous_Dave

12th Feb 2003, 09:34

I've seen it happen at STN, where one of the crew fell out of the main L1 door on a 737. She broke her pelvis, and sustained a spinal injury.

Ambulances are also held up at airports trying to get airside, as the ambulance and crew need to be cleared to go airside, and need an escort. The escort will be the airport police.

Few Cloudy

12th Feb 2003, 09:56

In the light of subsequent post, fax # removed.

FlapsOne

12th Feb 2003, 10:41

Please guys, slow down.

Firstly, there are some nice thoughts around here but check before you act.

On Saturday/Sunday Ken was not in the Edi Royal Infirmary but the Edi Western General (or something similar).

Please check and don't bombard the wrong hospital with cards and faxes.

Secondly, why all the talk about SOPs regarding the opening of door 1R? As I am told, he was closing door 1L from the outside on the airstairs.

If someone wants to start a debate about the SOPs, or lack of them, re opening doors can they please start another thread because such things posted here create the impression that a rule was broken causing this terrible mishap.

There is, of course, no evidence or suggestion whatsoever that this was anything other than a horrible accident.

Speedmaster

12th Feb 2003, 11:22

I feel KR might be a bit overwhelmed with lots of cards turning up at the hospital. I think it would be better to send them to the Easjet Edinburgh manager

c/o Fiona Black
Easyjet Base Manager
Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh
EH12

I am sure she would pass them on when appropriate

pilotwolf

12th Feb 2003, 13:54

Need for some facts re medical cover too....

Anti Skid On - We cover 0600 to 1800 and 1800 to 0000 everyday of the year at LGW - this is covered by 5 core staff, who also have to work off airfield for 2 weeks in 6 in order that their paramedical skills are maintained. These 5 are supported by 4 relief staff to cover training, leave and sickness. We would love to earn £25K plus unsocial hours - £22K ALL IN is our salary.

Dangerous_Dave - the airside access, without breaching any security issue is a local agreement. LAS at LHR have vehicle with airside drivers who have security clearance and do not need escorts. At LGW all Solo staff are free range drivers with security clearances and don't need escorts either. I will say problems occurs when crews unfamiliar attend the airport and don't listen to the rules designed for easy access/escorts!

As I ve said before BAA AFS are trained to a very high standard of medical care and will attend incidents when Solo is not available. In fact their training level is such that the ambulance service is allowed to count them as a resource for response times.

If you have a 1000 ambulances one day you''ll get 1001 calls... :rolleyes:

Costs are an overwhelming factor - especially if the rescource cannot be used elsewhere. Where do you stop? Malls, airport, ports, stations, bus/coach stations, schools,etc..

Make use of your First Aiders! Don't call 999 for trivial things - would you call an ambulance at home for it? The more WE ALL work to reduce inappropiate calls to the emergency services the quicker the response to the genuine ones will be! (Sorry for the politics!)

FlapsOne

12th Feb 2003, 13:57

Speedmaster

Excellent idea!

Dangerous_Dave

12th Feb 2003, 14:07

I saw earlier on the the thread someone mentioned about suggesting to the ambulance crew about the air ambulance helicopter.

When you pilots allowed people in the flight deck during flight, did you take kindly to people telling you how to do your jobs?

"Shouldn't you be heading that direction? Why don't you fly this fast?"

I know for a fact that you don't like it. Why do you think that someone else doing their job would like suggestions from the peanut gallery?

If the air ambulance is appropriate, then I'm sure it would be called for. At LGW the helicopter H900 has to come from Shoreham. I'm not sure about the Surrey Air Ambulance, but it won't be based at LGW.

741A

12th Feb 2003, 14:25

Oh dear, Dangerous_Dave I'm sorry I seem to have hit a raw nerve! My suggestion re the Air Ambulance was intended as only that, and not an instruction. Indeed I've had a passenger's life saved as a result, I'm a big fan of the service these charities provide. Toodle pip :D

Lizzie

12th Feb 2003, 15:06

....I only asked how he was.....

Can you lot cut the twaddle and debate elsewhere!!

Thanks,
Lizzie

Speedmaster

12th Feb 2003, 15:51

Lizzie - he is still in a serious way but has communicated with his wife and can feel pain which is always a good sign after head/spinal injury

ATCbabe

13th Feb 2003, 09:11

Would just like to back Warped factor up here, letting ATC know of the accident would of been the quickest and most direct way to get help to the pilot.
The firemen would of been there in less than a minute with the outside ambulance already on the way.
I wish the pilot and his family all the best, and pray for a speedy, full recovery.

ghost-rider

13th Feb 2003, 10:11

Just got back off leave to hear of this tragedy.

Ken, my thoughts are with you and your family.

Get well soon.

Anti-ice

13th Feb 2003, 15:40

What an unfortunate accident , best wishes for a full recovery.

We have a policy where ground equip must be in place with any open door, even so ,and especially on the 737 with airstairs it is very easy for something like this to happen.

Back in the 80's on a v windy day in Funchal:uhoh: , i was at door 2L on a 757 when a (v slight) hostess opened it -
It was so windy the door flew open (almost as though power assist had kicked in ), and took her out with it;
Thankfully she managed to hold on to the operating handle until the ground crew (hurriedly) rushed the steps over and saved the day and her life.
That was the day i realized forevermore how dangerous such a seemingly routine task can be.

RatherBeFlying

13th Feb 2003, 17:33

The many stories of falls and near-falls from doors and air stairs on this thread leave me bemused.

Had any of these incidents happened outside aviation, the local workplace safety authority would come down very hard on the lack of commonly accepted precautions in fall hazard situations.

Webbing barriers across the door opening can protect staff opening a door from the inside -- much easier on the pantyhose than putting on a fall protection harness;)

When using airstairs, webbing barriers can protect the gap between the airstair railing and the fuselage -- and perhaps restrain the airstair from rolling away.

The airstair operator can be using a fall protection harness until the airstair gap is secured.

Yes, I know it's another d***d thing to futz around with, but the hazard is very real and the equipment is cheap. The costly part will be the attachment points on the a/c;)

FlapsOne

13th Feb 2003, 17:44

I don't understand!

When using airstairs, webbing barriers can protect the gap between the airstair railing and the fuselage -- and perhaps restrain the airstair from rolling away.

The airstair operator can be using a fall protection harness until the airstair gap is secured

How can an airstair roll away - it's attached to the aircraft!

If closing the door from the outside, what would you attach a harness to?

Rwy in Sight

13th Feb 2003, 18:16

First and most important speedy and full recovery to the injured airman. Horrible event....

Just a question. I thought that Boeing doors can not be opened or closed if the airstairs are positioned just outside the aircraft. Fot that reason they have to moved a little back...

Rwy in Sight.

Orange In Cider

13th Feb 2003, 18:51

Rwy in sight,

As per FlapsOne's previous post, the problem here was on the airstairs....which are part of the aircraft. It is most airline's policies when using MOBILE steps (i.e. ground handling equipment) that the door is not opened unless that ground equipment is in place, braked, and stabilisers deployed.

The Boeing 737 airstairs appear from a hatch underneath the passenger door, and deploy almost completely, including the handrails, before the passenger door needs to be fully opened. Only problem is, door needs to be opened for the top part of the handrail to be extended and attached to the door frame.

Reverse is true for closing up the aircraft.....top part of handrail disconnected from airstairs, leaving a gap at the top, before the door can be closed.

RatherBeFlying

13th Feb 2003, 19:19

FlapsOne -- I may have garbled my nomenclature. By airstairs I primarily meant mobile steps.

In the a/c resident airstair case, fall protection of some kind needs to be provided when the top rail is disconnected. This could possibly be a waist belt tethered to an anchor, but a waist belt can only be used as a restraint. A waist belt cannot be used as a fall arrest device -- that calls for a harness.

If closing the door from the outside, the harness tether would be attached to the airstairs or mobile steps.

And a helmet might come in handy too;)

unwiseowl

13th Feb 2003, 19:37

Ken is a real gentleman; no one deserves this less.

OneWorld22

13th Feb 2003, 19:51

I've just read this with horror. I don't know the gentleman involved but hope he makes a full recovery. Sounds like it was a horrific accident. Reminds me of hearing about the Crossair captain a few years ago at MAN, run over by a ground vehicle and later died. Capt Vito Beers, wasn't it?

Airport ramps really are hazardous areas, far safer to be at FL330 at Mach.84.
Shouldn't it be law that airport fire services have Ambulances and crews attached to them?

Anyway, get well soon Capt Rutherford.

ADFS

13th Feb 2003, 20:14

I am deeply concerned for Capt. Rutherford. I do not know him, but I myself took a fall off an icy DC-3 wing back years ago and I just hope he recovers and wish his quick return to health.

Rob_L

15th Feb 2003, 06:22

Closing the forward pax door from the top of the aircrafts airstair not a mobile set is not for the feint hearted. The safety rails have to be down to accomplish the task. The door is heavy and although damped can move with speed and energy.

Take note of windspeed (Robin 2 take note!!), I believe their are published wind limits for opening and closing Boeing doors at all entry points.

Beware of the girt bar on the slide this can easily get entangled
in lose clothing resulting in an inadvertant deployment, highly dangerous. It might also force you over the side of the stairs again highly dangerous.

If mobile stairs are on the rear of the aircraft close the forward door from the inside and depart via the rear door. If they are not think about asking for them. That extra 30 yards walk is better than ending up in hospital.

The strap which is placed across the open door is an indicator not a safety strap it will not support your weight.

The integral airstair is safe as long as it is operated carefully.
Most crews are not in practice at closing it from the outside as the normally leave the aircraft to engineering. Next time you have 5 ask the engineers for a demo and to jc 2354 their lives are just as important as yours and your crew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FlapsOne

15th Feb 2003, 09:34

Well said Rob!

I hate closing the door from the top of the airstairs especially when cold/windy/wet.

You can do everything right and still nearly take a tumble. Sadly this seems to be what might have happened to Ken.

Still thinking of him and his family - there but for the grace of God!

RatherBeFlying

15th Feb 2003, 14:17

Article on Fall Protection (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/elcosh/docs/d0400/d000495/d000495.pdf) (Free Acrobat Reader required)

BOAC

6th Mar 2003, 07:31

Any update on the condition of the pilot please? Hopefully he is recovering well. I well remember the incident referred to when the stewardess fell onto the apron at Manchester some years ago, and she made a full recovery.

why me?

7th Mar 2003, 00:59

He is doing well - conversation is now easy and humorous (you wouldn't expect anything else from this gentleman!)

He can also now walk freely, as the zimmer has gone, but is aided by means of a walking stick and still has the back brace.

A further operation may be necessary on his skull, although the docs are yet to make a decision on this. Subject to the further op, he is due to be moved to a rehabilitation hospital within the coming days/week.

All in all, good progress is being made - physically and mentally.

I will be visiting sometime next week and will pass on the sentiments and kind thoughts of this group's members.

Avman

7th Mar 2003, 08:34

Good news! Send him the very best wishes from all at "Maastricht Control".

Over+Out

7th Mar 2003, 08:40

And also from 'London Control'

BAB2B

8th Mar 2003, 10:40

Best wishes to the skipper involved.

Isn't it about time the manufacturers thought about installing power drive systems for cabin doors as they have for the larger cargo doors? I've witnessed the door 'sail' phenomenon a number of times on turnround on the smallest of types, it's a real hazard.

Also the single strap across a doorway is nowhere near being sufficient in size for preventing a fall, they need to be something a lot more substantial.

claire mc cosker

9th Mar 2003, 14:44

hey i hope
all goes well and we heard u back on the airwaves soon!!:) and wish u a speed recovery

Military Man

9th Mar 2003, 14:57

Wishing you a speedy recovery. Get well soon.

ghost-rider

9th Mar 2003, 17:40

Please wish Ken all the very best from all at EZY Ops.

Thanks.

Bumz_Rush

10th Mar 2003, 15:01

If this has been covered in previous posts, sorry. But who is responsable for health and safety in this area of operation. In a normal working environment the HSE would be closing down the facility......Has there been any response from them....I don't work on this type or size of aircraft, but we are expected to climb onto a ice covered wing and fit or remove engine covers. No safety equipment, or even a secure climbing frame. yet again safety is not actually first on the agenda.

In trim

10th Mar 2003, 16:22

Bumz_Rush,

That's always the problem in an incident like this, but the CAA, AAIB, and HSE now seem to be 'getting it together' and working better than they used to, as evidenced by the latest CAP642 document.

In this case HSE are keeping an eye to ensure all is covered, but as it occurred on part of the aircraft, the AAIB have led the investigation as far as external bodies are concerned.