Inquiry raps passengers for carry-on retrieval during evacuation

Investigation of a Nordic Regional Airlines Embraer 190 evacuation found that nearly two-thirds of passengers retrieved carry-on baggage before exiting the aircraft. The Finnish Safety Investigation Authority says the aircraft had landed at Turku following a smoke alert relating to the air conditioning packs. It sharply criticises the manner of the passengers’ evacuation, stating that 63% stopped to retrieve coats or carry-on baggage beforehand, despite being ordered to leave belongings behind. “Groping for carry-ons in an emergency shows blatant disregard for others and may cause deaths or injuries,” says the authority. All 6 exits were opened, with slides functioning normally it says, and the cabin crew issued evacuation instructions “loud and clear” during the incident, Dec 3 last year. <br/>