The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 06:36 PM

Chinese Airline Attendant Falls Out Of Plane's Cabin Door During Flight

Employment in the high skies can be a dangerous line of work.

On Oct. 24, a flight attendant from China Eastern Airlines fell out of a Boeing 737-800 and onto the tarmac at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport in Guangdong, China, suffering several bone fractures and bruises. She was immediately rushed to the hospital, the airport confirmed in a statement.

According to the airport, the flight attendant “accidentally fell on the tarmac from the left rear cabin door when the plane was ready for takeoff,” South China Morning Post said. The China Easter Airlines flight was scheduled to leave for the cities of Kunming and Tengchong.

The woman fell about 9 feet from the aircraft and was found by mechanics who were preparing the plane for takeoff, an airport staffer confirmed.

Plane staffers are required to do a walk-through and ensure that all cabin doors are closed before takeoff, Travel + Leisure said. Further, this job usually is performed by two people.

Almost two hours later, the domestic flight took off for its intended destinations.

The airline is still investigating the incident, the Morning Post added.