A major investigation is now underway at Manchester Airport following a serious incident on the morning of Saturday, 11 April. Air accident investigators were scrambled to the scene after a man suffered significant injuries after falling from an aircraft.
The incident occurred around 9:00 AM on the airport tarmac. Early reports suggest the man, believed to be an engineer or member of the ground crew, fell from the rear of a Jet2 aircraft. Emergency services, including North West Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Police, arrived quickly to provide trauma care.
The Emergency Response
Witnesses at the airport described a heavy emergency presence near the aircraft. The victim was treated for several serious injuries, including suspected fractures to his arms and legs, before being rushed to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they attended the scene to assist, but the lead on the investigation has been handed over to specialist aviation authorities.
Official Investigations Underway
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has officially confirmed that a team of inspectors has been dispatched to Manchester to determine the cause of the fall. Their investigation will look at:
- Equipment Safety: Whether safety railings or boarding equipment were properly secured.
- Procedural Conduct: If standard operating procedures were being followed at the time of the maintenance work.
- Environmental Factors: Whether weather conditions or tarmac surfaces played a role in the accident.
Jet2 has released a brief statement confirming that a “serious incident” took place involving a member of their engineering team and that they are “fully cooperating” with the AAIB and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Impact on Flights
Fortunately, the incident did not cause significant delays to passenger services, as the aircraft was not in active boarding status at the time. However, the area surrounding the aircraft remained cordoned off for several hours while forensic evidence and measurements were taken.
Incidents involving ground crew falls are rare but taken extremely seriously by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as they often prompt nationwide reviews of safety equipment used on the airfield.
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