Chaos ensues due to unwarranted evacuation
In an unexpected turn of events, a Ryanair flight bound for Manchester was forced to evacuate at Palma Airport after a false fire alarm triggered panic on board. The incident, which occurred recently, resulted in some passengers sustaining minor injuries during the emergency evacuation.
Upon the alarm's activation, the plane was quickly evacuated via emergency exits. Six individuals were taken to the hospital for treatment, primarily for sprained ankles. A total of 18 people received medical attention after the evacuation, but none of the injuries were reported to be serious.
During such evacuations, passengers on medium-haul jets are often required to jump or slide down the extended landing gear or wings. However, it's essential to note that not all medium-haul jets are equipped with inflatable emergency slides on the wings. This was the case with the Ryanair flight in question.
The absence of emergency slides on wing exits in some medium-haul jets is a deliberate design choice. It reflects the aircraft's size, passenger capacity, regulatory evacuation standards, and operational considerations. Medium-haul aircraft typically have main door exits equipped with inflatable evacuation slides, while overwing exits may exist but might not have slides.
This design choice is made to ensure the aircraft's weight, complexity, and maintenance costs are balanced with safety and operational efficiency. Larger jets like the Boeing 777 require multiple slides to meet evacuation certification standards, but smaller medium-haul jets have different regulatory requirements based on passenger count and exit availability.
Following the evacuation, Ryanair confirmed that a small number of passengers sustained minor injuries during the incident and arranged for medical assistance. The takeoff was aborted, and passengers had to return to the terminal. However, a replacement flight was quickly organized, and it took off the next morning, allowing passengers to continue their journey.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols during aircraft emergencies. While such events are rare, it's crucial for passengers to remain calm and follow the instructions of the crew during an evacuation to ensure everyone's safety.
The incident's aftermath saw general-news outlets discussing the plane's lack of inflatable emergency slides on wing exits, a deliberate design choice that reflects the aircraft's size, operational considerations, and regulatory standards. This particular Ryanair flight, despite the evacuation, rescheduled its travel arrangements the next morning, allowing passengers to continue their lifestyle of travel. It's also worth noting that the sports segment of news reported on the six individuals who were hospitalized after the evacuation due to minor injuries, primarily sprained ankles.
