Dubai’s Emirates launches investigation after crew member falls from plane

Dubai airline Emirates is investigating an incident in which one of its flight attendants fell from a plane’s emergency exit before takeoff in Uganda.

The crew member is reported to have suffered life threatening injuries after opening the door of the plane while preparing for boarding at Entebbe International Airport prior to departure to Dubai International on March 14.

The Daily Nation cited witnesses as saying the crew member could have tried to commit suicide.

She is said to have been in a verbal exchange with other flight attendants before jumping out of the plane with what appeared to be a glass bottle held under her chin.

A witness told the publication that her injuries included broken knees and cuts from the bottle.

Dubai Media Office said in a statement that Emirates was investigating the incident with Ugandan authorities.

طيران الإمارات: استمرار التحقيقات بالتعاون مع السلطات الأوغندية بشأن الحادث الذي تعرضت له احدى مضيفات الشركة بسقوطها من باب مخرج الطوارئ للطائرة في مطار عنتيبي قبل إقلاع الرحلة والتي كانت متوجهة من مطار عنتيبي إلى مطار دبي الدولي يوم أمس.

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 15, 2018

Emirates confirmed in an earlier statement that the crew member “unfortunately fell off from an open door” while preparing flight EK729 from Entebbe.

“The injured crew member was brought to the nearest hospital. We are providing all possible support and care for the affected crew, and will extend our full co-operation to the authorities in their investigation.”