A Ryanair cabin supervisor who claimed she slipped and fell on a flight to Warsaw and injured her arm has sued in the High Court.
Fiona Nangle (40) has claimed she slipped on clear de-icing fluid which she contends had been tracked into the plane by passengers as they boarded the aircraft earlier in the day.
The flight from Dublin to Warsaw had to turn back to Dublin after the incident on February 11th, 2018.
An ambulance met the aircraft and Ms Nangle was brought to hospital where a displaced fracture to her right arm was diagnosed along with some nerve damage.
Ms Nangle, with an address at Latt Hills, Cavan, Co Cavan, sued Ryanair over the accident on board the Dublin-Warsaw flight.
She has alleged there was a failure to warn her of the alleged existence of a danger on the aircraft of which Ryanair knew or ought reasonably to have known about.
It has been further claimed there was a failure to ensure the floor surface did not become wet or contaminated during embarkation and disembarkation or during the de-icing of the aircraft.
Ryanair has denied all the claims and says the fall was an unfortunate accident that was not caused by the airline.
Ms Nangle told the court she had been on the jump seat for take-off. She said the plane was still climbing when she went to do paperwork. She said there was a mat that passengers had walked over and as she stepped off the mat she slipped and was in a lot of pain.
“It was embarrassing falling in front of a planeload of people. My arm was swinging like a pendulum,’ she said.
The mother-of-two said she had to have surgery and had nerve damage but, after eight months, feeling had returned to her arm. For a while after the accident she could not drive and needed help with her young son, she said.
She said Ryanair issued a mandatory read memo the day after the accident saying de-icing fluid can track on board and advising crew to wear appropriate footwear and to be vigilant.
Ryanair’s counsel, Martin Hayden SC, put it to Ms Nangle that it was an unfortunate accident where she lost her footing, but it was not caused by Ryanair. Ms Nangle replied that she slipped.
Counsel said it was Ryanair’s case that de-icing of the plane wings and tail was all that took place on the morning of the accident, putting it to Ms Nangle that her claim that de-icing fluid was tracked on board the plane was not credible. Ms Nangle replied that she does not know how long it takes to evaporate.
Opening the case, Patricia Dillon SC for Ms Nangle said it was their case there had been three previous incidents involving Ryanair crew where it was alleged that de-icing liquid was present and yet no steps had been taken by the airline.
The case before Mr Justice Alexander Owens continues on Thursday.