ATSB report details evacuation failures in Regional Express Saab 340 incident

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released a report on a 2022 incident involving a Regional Express Saab 340 at Melbourne Airport. The report noted multiple procedural failures, including the premature disconnection of ground power, leading to an engine fire and an evacuation. During the evacuation, some passengers ignored instructions to leave personal items behind. The evacuation took nearly four minutes, longer than the recommended 90 seconds. The ATSB highlighted communication issues between the flight crew and ground staff as contributing factors. In response to the incident, Regional Express implemented new training for flight and ground crews, focusing on proper hand signals and emergency procedures. The Saab 340 has been out of service since June 2024.