Relatives of Swissport Cargo Handler Who Died 6 Years Ago Angry

DUBLIN- A 64-year-old cargo handler named Richard Gracey died after falling headfirst while working on an Air France (AF) plane on November 24, 2018.

Relatives of the man who died in a fall from a plane at Dublin Airport (DUB) more than six years ago have voiced their anger after learning specific details about the incident during recent inquest proceedings.

Photo- Air France

Workplace Incident Details

Mr. Gracey, originally from Andersonstown in West Belfast and a father of five, fell approximately five meters from an aircraft while unloading cargo on November 24, 2018. Despite being rushed to Beaumont Hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival. He suffered a fractured skull and severe brain injuries.

The inquest heard that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) had not been followed correctly. A Health and Safety Authority inspector testified that the loader vehicle was positioned 2.7 meters away from the aircraft when it should have been within 8-10 centimeters before the cargo door sills were deployed.

Testimony revealed that Mr. Gracey appeared to fall over a safety net and attempted to grab it before falling to the ground. The investigation found that this safety net, described as a “warning strap,” was not designed to prevent a person from falling through it.

A consultant engineer identified two possible contributing factors:

1. A broken pin created a potential trip hazard on the cargo door sill
2. An anchor point on the safety net that could release under force despite appearing properly deployed

Photo- Swissport

In March 2023, Swissport Ireland was fined €250,000 after pleading guilty to safety violations. The company, along with Boeing and Air France (AF), also reached an undisclosed settlement with the Gracey family in civil proceedings.

The family stated they were “outraged” over the failures “in maintaining and upholding a safe work environment.” Mrs. Gracey testified that her husband had often described his workplace as having “accidents waiting to happen.”

Photo- Wikimedia Commons & Air France; Compiled by Aviation A2Z

Safety Improvements Implemented

A Swissport representative told the inquest that procedures had been changed since the incident. Cargo door sills must now only be opened from outside the aircraft by loader operators. The company reported no similar “near-miss” incidents in over 500,000 ground operations since January 2022.

The jury returned a verdict of workplace-related fatality and expressed satisfaction with Swissport’s procedural changes. It recommended more frequent safety training for staff.

The Gracey family, while acknowledging these improvements, expressed disappointment that no recommendation was made for Boeing to install improved safety nets across all its cargo aircraft.

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