Safety Investigation into Passenger DoorHandrail Locking Mechanism on ATR Airplanes

The primary focus of the investigation will be on the design and operation of the passenger door handrail.

Earlier this year, the SIAF conducted an assessment on a similar accident that occurred at Jyväskylä airport on January 12, 2024. In that occurrence, a passenger also fell on the apron from the door of an ATR during disembarkation as a result of unexpected collapse of the handrail.

The report can be accessed here.

Judging that an assessment was sufficient for the dissemination of relevant safety information, the SIAF did not initiate a safety investigation into the event.

However, it made a number of safety observations that had a bearing on the maintenance and functional check requirements of the handrail and on the identification of stiffness in the handrail mechanism. Additional observations were related to further fostering of just culture and a need to review and clarify cabin crew instructions for door operation and the use of the handrail quick-release pin.

An assessment is conducted under the provisions prescribed for a preliminary investigation, and it is the starting point when a decision is made on the possible initiation of a full safety investigation.

“Based on information we have received, the accident at Helsinki-Vantaa bears several similarities to the Jyväskylä occurrence. Consequently, a great deal of assessment is already done, and we can continue from that. When looking at the Jyväskylä event we judged that an assessment would be sufficient for the dissemination of safety information, but that was not the case, and now we have decided to put the issue under a full scrutiny. ATR 72 and ATR 42 airplanes are used extensively for commercial air transport. An accredited representative from the BEA and an advisor from ATR have been nominated to observe the investigation – this is standard procedure - and thereby ensure that safety information will be forwarded to applicable recipients. The investigation will, of course, be independent and impartial,” explains the Investigator in Charge Janne Kotiranta.

The purpose of a safety investigation is to promote general safety and prevent accidents and incidents. A safety investigation is not conducted in order to allocate legal liability.

The duration of a safety investigation is approximately 9 to 12 months.

Further information:
Investigator in Charge, Mr. Janne Kotiranta: tel. +358 29 515 0703

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