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February 8, 2003 · Aerospatiale ATR72-212 · N448AM

San Juan, PR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 8, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 61 uninjured
Location
San Juan, PR
Aircraft
Aerospatiale ATR72-212
Tail Number
N448AM
Operator
American Eagle Executive Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
MIA03LA055

According the airline's director of safety, the airplane had arrived at the terminal and was in the process of deplaning. The director of safety further stated that as the as the 53rd passenger in the sequence of 58 passengers exited the airplane, she grabbed the handrail at the top of the stairs, and the handrail collapsed. He said the passenger fell from the top of the stairs to the ground, and sustained serious injuries. Postincident examination of the hand rail and its locking mechanism did not reveal any anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The aft passenger stair handrail collapsing due to undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On February 8, 2003, about 1704, Atlantic standard time, an Aerospatiale ATR 72-212, N448AM, registered to AMR Leasing Corporation, and operated by American Eagle Executive Airlines Inc., as flight 5131, a Title 14 CFR Part 121, scheduled international passenger flight, had a passenger that was injured while deplaning at San Juan, Puerto Rico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight plan had been filed. The airline transport-rated pilot, first officer, two flight attendants, and 57 passengers were not injured. One passenger received serious injuries. The flight originated from Christ Church, Barbados, the same day, about 1435. According the airline's director of safety, the airplane had arrived at the terminal and was in the process of deplaning. The director of safety further stated that as the as the 53rd passenger in the sequence of 58 passengers exited the airplane, she grabbed the handrail at the top of the stairs, and the handrail collapsed. He said the passenger fell from the top of the stairs to the ground, and sustained serious injuries. Postincident examination of the hand rail and its locking mechanism did not reveal any anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:04 AST
Nearest AirportLuis Munoz Marin International (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerospatiale ATR72-212
Tail NumberN448AM
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorAmerican Eagle Executive Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PW127TM · Turboprop | Pratt & Whitney Canada · PW127TM · Turboprop
Seats68

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 61 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured61
Total62
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 30 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind80° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time21:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data