Investigators have been sent to Manchester Airport after a person fell from an aircraft on Saturday 11 April. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said a team travelled to the airport that day to begin its work, confirming the deployment in an update published on Sunday 12 April 2026. (gov.uk)

North West Ambulance Service said it was called at 08:22 to reports that someone had fallen from height at the airport. A man was taken to hospital with suspected serious injuries, and he is believed to be an aircraft engineer, according to reporting carried by The Independent. (the-independent.com)

Jet2 said the individual was from a third‑party provider and that a full investigation had begun. “We are aware of an incident involving an individual from a third‑party provider,” a spokesperson told The Independent, adding that support was being provided. (the-independent.com)

AAIB inspectors will now examine the circumstances, gather witness accounts and secure evidence before publishing safety findings. Their work is independent of any other inquiry and is focused on improving safety rather than assigning blame. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)

Working at height is a known risk in aviation. The Health and Safety Executive’s guidance for air transport notes many major injuries occur during maintenance, while entering or exiting aircraft, and when using service equipment such as steps and high‑loaders, stressing stable access, edge protection, training and oversight. (hse.gov.uk)

National data underlines the concern. Falls from height have been the main cause of work‑related fatal injury in Great Britain in recent years, averaging 38 deaths per year between 2020/21 and 2024/25, the HSE reports. (hse.gov.uk)

Ground‑handling and maintenance firms across the North are likely to review their own checks on steps, doors, access platforms and sign‑off routines while the AAIB completes its work. Further updates will follow once investigators publish their findings. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)