Death of a Cabin Attendant in ORY
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Europe
Posts: 3,261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Death of a Cabin Attendant in ORY
Tuesday the 1st of February in Paris Orly, Mrs Laurence Brenier-Claude, a fellow Air France CC fell when the stairs where removed from the 2L door of an A320.
The door had been used to disembark a pax who needed an ambulance. The accident happened while the CC was standing on the stairs platform to close the door. The stairs were removed and she fell, while another CC managed to jump back in just in time. She was transported already in a coma with a helicopter to the hospital, where she died the following morning. She was 35 and leaves her partner and 2 young children.
An investigation is open to determine the responsabilities in the accident.
Please be very, very careful out there
The door had been used to disembark a pax who needed an ambulance. The accident happened while the CC was standing on the stairs platform to close the door. The stairs were removed and she fell, while another CC managed to jump back in just in time. She was transported already in a coma with a helicopter to the hospital, where she died the following morning. She was 35 and leaves her partner and 2 young children.
An investigation is open to determine the responsabilities in the accident.
Please be very, very careful out there
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What an awful tragedy.
Heartfelt sympathies to the crew, family and friends.
Most of us have all looked out that door at the drop.....to think that we could lose a colleague in this way is so terribly sad.
Heartfelt sympathies to the crew, family and friends.
Most of us have all looked out that door at the drop.....to think that we could lose a colleague in this way is so terribly sad.
Flyblue that is a tragic piece of news.
I know of at least 5 similar instances in the UK where fortunately the cabin crew member has survived a fall from a door or off the stairs as they moved off the a/c, albeit in one instance with a serious injury for life. ALL these accidents were widely reported at the time they happened, ALL were investigated thoroughly.
In 2 of the incidents they were exactly the same as the one you describe, the Cabin Crew member standing on the steps to start to close the door because it is easier than hanging out of the doorway. This procedure wasn't in any of the airlines manuals therefore the CC was found to be partly responsible. The driver of the steps had checked there was no one on the steps, climbed back into his vehicle and started to drive off. It was in the short time between their checking the steps were clear and starting to drive off that the cabin crew had gone onto the steps. Recommendation was that another person should monitor the steps whilst the driver got into his vehicle and prepared to drive off, just in case a cabin crew chose to use them to shut the door. Reality shows that this isn't always possible to achieve with short turnrounds and minimum staffing.
However, no recommendation has been made that future aircraft designs should look to eliminate the need for CC to have to leave the aircraft to start to close the doors.. Maybe, just maybe, some good will come out of this tragic death and rules will be changed.
I wonder how easy it is to close the doors on the top cabin of the A380?
I know of at least 5 similar instances in the UK where fortunately the cabin crew member has survived a fall from a door or off the stairs as they moved off the a/c, albeit in one instance with a serious injury for life. ALL these accidents were widely reported at the time they happened, ALL were investigated thoroughly.
In 2 of the incidents they were exactly the same as the one you describe, the Cabin Crew member standing on the steps to start to close the door because it is easier than hanging out of the doorway. This procedure wasn't in any of the airlines manuals therefore the CC was found to be partly responsible. The driver of the steps had checked there was no one on the steps, climbed back into his vehicle and started to drive off. It was in the short time between their checking the steps were clear and starting to drive off that the cabin crew had gone onto the steps. Recommendation was that another person should monitor the steps whilst the driver got into his vehicle and prepared to drive off, just in case a cabin crew chose to use them to shut the door. Reality shows that this isn't always possible to achieve with short turnrounds and minimum staffing.
However, no recommendation has been made that future aircraft designs should look to eliminate the need for CC to have to leave the aircraft to start to close the doors.. Maybe, just maybe, some good will come out of this tragic death and rules will be changed.
I wonder how easy it is to close the doors on the top cabin of the A380?
Guest
Posts: n/a
How very, very sad. Deepest sympathies to her poor family, friends and colleagues.
Do you remember that TCX temp last year in CFU who fell out of the rear 75 door and broke her hip and knee and shoulder? (I think that was her injuries - they were quite severe anyway?
Please take care everyone.
Do you remember that TCX temp last year in CFU who fell out of the rear 75 door and broke her hip and knee and shoulder? (I think that was her injuries - they were quite severe anyway?
Please take care everyone.
There's Fall Protection in the Hangar
Here is the website of one business providing Fall Protection for a/c Maintenance Crews
The same protection should be available to flight and cabin crews as this sad accident is only the latest in a long string of casualties
It's a bit of a wardrobe challenge to put on a harness, but you will be very grateful if you suddenly find yourself hanging in it
The same protection should be available to flight and cabin crews as this sad accident is only the latest in a long string of casualties
It's a bit of a wardrobe challenge to put on a harness, but you will be very grateful if you suddenly find yourself hanging in it
LUXury is a 13,000 ft runway
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The Centre of Western Europe
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not that CGT would accept that removing the stairs while the door remained open was daft (not to mention against company policy), nor that the person who made the mistake should at least be suspended pending investigations:
PARIS (AFP) - Air France said it may have to cancel half its flights out of Paris' Orly West air terminal as a result of a strike by ground technical staff.
A spokesman said 60 or 70 flights out of a total of 120 might have to be cancelled.
The airline operates domestic and some European flights out of the terminal.
According to two of the unions involved in the strike, the stoppage could spread to passenger handling staff and to the main Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.
Hundreds of passengers were left stranded by the strike, which was called to protest the suspension of a gangway worker. (my emphasis)
The suspension followed the accidental death of a flight attendant who fell from the top of a mobile staircase as passengers were disembarking.
A spokesman said 60 or 70 flights out of a total of 120 might have to be cancelled.
The airline operates domestic and some European flights out of the terminal.
According to two of the unions involved in the strike, the stoppage could spread to passenger handling staff and to the main Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.
Hundreds of passengers were left stranded by the strike, which was called to protest the suspension of a gangway worker. (my emphasis)
The suspension followed the accidental death of a flight attendant who fell from the top of a mobile staircase as passengers were disembarking.
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: South East UK
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
...nor that the person who made the mistake should at least be suspended pending investigations
This ground worker probably didn't kill the FA deliberately and is probably feeling devastated at the thought of being responsible.
Something to think about - I'll bet this person is the only one on the ramp who you could trust not to make the same mistake again.
Suspension for deliberate actions, yes - like idiot pilots drinking before flight - but I think this is a little harsh, unless it's for the benefit of the person involved.
Helicopter Pilots Get It Up Quicker
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location:
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Suspension isn't normally regarded as a disciplinary action - it's done merely to protect ALL involved.
However I would add that maybe out of respect the rights and wrongs of the suspension could be discussed in a separate thread?
Sad news....
PW
However I would add that maybe out of respect the rights and wrongs of the suspension could be discussed in a separate thread?
Sad news....
PW
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Varies!
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SURELY NOT
I don't for one minute think there will be any steps big enough for the upper deck of A380. The upper deck would be accessed by piers/boarding gates only............I hope!
This incident is a tragic waste of life but I doubt we will never see it happen again.The same thing almost happened to me 20 years ago at Manchester Airport when a crew member jumped onto the steps in the split second she realised they were starting to move.Luckily for her all she had to face was the embarrassment of being driven around the airport stood at the top of the stairs and the mouthful of abuse from a very rude driver.The drivers Union protected him and blamed the Airline even though it was his fault and it was a regular occurance at Manchester Airport for them to never give thumbs up when the stairs are locked in place and ready for pax disembarkation. And we know what the French are like with their Unions!
I don't for one minute think there will be any steps big enough for the upper deck of A380. The upper deck would be accessed by piers/boarding gates only............I hope!
This incident is a tragic waste of life but I doubt we will never see it happen again.The same thing almost happened to me 20 years ago at Manchester Airport when a crew member jumped onto the steps in the split second she realised they were starting to move.Luckily for her all she had to face was the embarrassment of being driven around the airport stood at the top of the stairs and the mouthful of abuse from a very rude driver.The drivers Union protected him and blamed the Airline even though it was his fault and it was a regular occurance at Manchester Airport for them to never give thumbs up when the stairs are locked in place and ready for pax disembarkation. And we know what the French are like with their Unions!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Australia, Melbourne
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With Sympathy...
My heart goes out to anyone who knew her and especialy those that worked with her and her dear family.
May she rest in peace now in gods kingdom and my god give strength to her family to overcome this difficult time.
May she rest in peace now in gods kingdom and my god give strength to her family to overcome this difficult time.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Deepest sympathies to the family she leaves behind.
Although I am only relatively rarely on such steps, I am always worried that they will somehow move suddenly.
Hopefully something can be done so that these tragic accidents do not occur in future.
Although I am only relatively rarely on such steps, I am always worried that they will somehow move suddenly.
Hopefully something can be done so that these tragic accidents do not occur in future.
I guess one of the most important things is that everyone learns something from this.
On a turnaround in Sydney on sunday, with all passengers on board we were in the middle of a paperwork delay (50mins) waiting for the load and trim sheet from a fairly new inexperienced loadie. Keeping the passengers happy was one thing - they had been boarded 30mins early and had now been sitting on the ground for 1hr 20m!
I had done a similar pattern on Saturday, and experienced the same thing. On both days, the rampies had been loud, abusive and impatient - insisting they had to knock off by 4pm. (As if it were the crews fault we were waiting for the paperwork).
On saturday, they pulled the stairs away while there was no one at the door, or in the galley. The load controller was still in the flight deck. I gestured for them to return the stairs - which they did while calling me a 'whiney f**k', and a 'fu**ing fag'... The number 3 came into the galley to ask what it was all about, as she had heard it 4 rows down into the cabin...
Sunday, they did the same thing, different rampies, different abuse, however when I asked them to return the stairs, they held them 2ft away from the door - refusing to put them back in. Subsequently the load controller had to jump the 2ft gap, and once again, the stairs were well and truly gone before the thumbs up, ok to close signal had been given.
I have worked on the ramp, I also knew a person who has had a fall from the aircraft door (only a Bae146, but enough to make it difficult for him to do simple things anymore).
I have printed out a copy of this thread to take into our fa manager. I think that its important that everyone be made aware the danger of open doors with no stairs/guard strap, and the dangers associated with the removal of the stairs... Otherwise, one day, it will happen again.
On a turnaround in Sydney on sunday, with all passengers on board we were in the middle of a paperwork delay (50mins) waiting for the load and trim sheet from a fairly new inexperienced loadie. Keeping the passengers happy was one thing - they had been boarded 30mins early and had now been sitting on the ground for 1hr 20m!
I had done a similar pattern on Saturday, and experienced the same thing. On both days, the rampies had been loud, abusive and impatient - insisting they had to knock off by 4pm. (As if it were the crews fault we were waiting for the paperwork).
On saturday, they pulled the stairs away while there was no one at the door, or in the galley. The load controller was still in the flight deck. I gestured for them to return the stairs - which they did while calling me a 'whiney f**k', and a 'fu**ing fag'... The number 3 came into the galley to ask what it was all about, as she had heard it 4 rows down into the cabin...
Sunday, they did the same thing, different rampies, different abuse, however when I asked them to return the stairs, they held them 2ft away from the door - refusing to put them back in. Subsequently the load controller had to jump the 2ft gap, and once again, the stairs were well and truly gone before the thumbs up, ok to close signal had been given.
I have worked on the ramp, I also knew a person who has had a fall from the aircraft door (only a Bae146, but enough to make it difficult for him to do simple things anymore).
I have printed out a copy of this thread to take into our fa manager. I think that its important that everyone be made aware the danger of open doors with no stairs/guard strap, and the dangers associated with the removal of the stairs... Otherwise, one day, it will happen again.
BYMONEK, I can see how you might have thought I was talking about steps up to the top deck of the A380........but..... I was meaning to ask whether the door closing on the top deck required crew to hang any part of themselves out of the aircraft to get it moving to a closed position? Same applies even to the main deck doors.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Europe
Posts: 3,261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fokker_Me
if you have to talk to the FA manager, it might help you to bring along the chapter of your Ground Ops Manual (ask a pilot) where they cover the stairs/jetway rules. And whenever a fact like the one you describe occurs, to file a written report (or better have it filed by the Captain) referring to the Ground Ops Manual rules. Good luck.
if you have to talk to the FA manager, it might help you to bring along the chapter of your Ground Ops Manual (ask a pilot) where they cover the stairs/jetway rules. And whenever a fact like the one you describe occurs, to file a written report (or better have it filed by the Captain) referring to the Ground Ops Manual rules. Good luck.
Fokker_me, there is no justification for the bad language directed at you by the ramp staff. I suggest that you put in a formal complaint making specific mention of the fact that the abuse was audible at least 4 rows down the cabin. The staff responsible have 'brought the company into disrespect' by their actions which should ensure a disciplinary and possible dismissal if the company regs are the same as companies I have worked for. Add in their flagrant disregard for safe operating procedure and I would suggest that if they are not dismissed then the company has a serious issue with H & S.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: london
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is really sad, and something that has always scared me, but I know a lot of crew do. Larger aircraft doors are very heavy and sometimes even a strong guy needs a hand to close them. and the steps or jet way is an ideal 'push off'
I think the USA has the right idea, as most c/c do not close the door or open the dorr themselfs, and only ground staff do it in normal operation. I think this can protect things like this happening, however I also think c/c should handle the door regularly as you need to be used to the weight and method required to open, as each aircraft type is a little different.
I know some people worry about ground staff accessing the door due to slide deployment and so on, however I think nearly all aircraft doors now automatically disarm when opened from outside.
Anyone know why we do not use this system in the UK ?
My heart goes out to the family and friends of this poor person. I wish them all well.
I think the USA has the right idea, as most c/c do not close the door or open the dorr themselfs, and only ground staff do it in normal operation. I think this can protect things like this happening, however I also think c/c should handle the door regularly as you need to be used to the weight and method required to open, as each aircraft type is a little different.
I know some people worry about ground staff accessing the door due to slide deployment and so on, however I think nearly all aircraft doors now automatically disarm when opened from outside.
Anyone know why we do not use this system in the UK ?
My heart goes out to the family and friends of this poor person. I wish them all well.