PALMA DE MALLORCA— A Ryanair (RK) passenger sustained severe injuries after leaping from the wing of a Boeing 737-800 during an emergency evacuation at Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) on a false fire alert.
The incident occurred on Ryanair Flight RK3446, bound for Manchester (MAN), when panic erupted onboard, leading multiple passengers to escape through the overwing exits onto the tarmac. At least six people required hospital treatment, and one woman now faces three surgeries.
Photo: SolarpixRyanair Emergency Wing Evacuation
Panic ensued shortly after midnight as the flight crew aboard the Ryanair Boeing 737 received a cockpit warning indicating a possible fire, later deemed false.
The aircraft, positioned for departure from Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) to Manchester Airport (MAN), was swiftly evacuated following the alert.
Emergency slides were deployed at the front and rear exits, while passengers seated mid-cabin used the overwing emergency exits—commonly referred to as “self-help” exits due to the lack of crew involvement in their operation.
These exits require correct wing configuration to allow safer descent, but video footage from the scene suggested a dangerous drop of nearly 18 feet to the hard tarmac.
Danielle Kelly, 56, was among those who jumped from the wing and suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured elbow, a broken wrist, and a shattered heel. She told the Daily Mail she feared a terror attack after hearing a loud bang and witnessing cabin crew shouting for immediate evacuation.
“There was no announcement from the pilot,” she said. “People just ran out onto the wing and jumped.” Kelly now faces three surgeries to repair the damage.
Another passenger, Francine Elkinson, 57, underwent a three-hour operation to repair a broken foot with metal pins and plates. A third passenger reported a double pelvic fracture and a possible spinal injury after also jumping from the wing.
Overwing Exits Pose Risks When Misconfigured
Self-help exits on the Boeing 737-800 are not equipped with inflatable slides, unlike the Airbus A320 series, where overwing exits automatically deploy slides upon opening.
The absence of such safety features can cause serious injury if wings are not properly lowered before evacuation.
This incident follows a similar March 2024 event involving an American Airlines (AA) 737 at Denver International Airport (DEN), where passengers became stranded on the wing during a smoke-related evacuation.
Photo: By kitmasterbloke – https://www.flickr.com/photos/58415659@N00/51752028899/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114422105Ryanair’s Response and Investigation
In an official statement, Ryanair confirmed the emergency was caused by a false fire warning. “Passengers were disembarked using the inflatable slides and returned to the terminal,” the airline stated. “A small number sustained very minor injuries such as ankle sprains.”
Despite the chaos, Ryanair arranged a replacement aircraft which departed Palma at 07:05 local time.
The airline has apologized to affected passengers and pledged full cooperation with investigations into the safety procedures followed during the evacuation.
The incident has renewed focus on the safety protocols for overwing exits, particularly on older aircraft like the Boeing 737-800. Experts suggest clearer crew communication, better evacuation training, and upgraded wing-exit safety features are necessary to prevent similar injuries in the future.
Passengers onboard described the situation as chaotic, with no instructions from pilots and minimal guidance from cabin crew. The traumatic experience has raised questions about the airline’s preparedness during onboard emergencies involving false alerts.
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