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A metal water bottle falling from the overhead locker and onto a passenger has resulted in a 
British Airways traveler’s eyesight becoming ‘misaligned’. This long-term injury has forced the individual to sue the carrier after she was struck with the drink bottle during a flight from 
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to 
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in August 2024.
The Kentucky resident, Adrea Stendel, has claimed that she now suffers from ongoing chronic visual sequelae, including exophoria and convergence misalignment, which, in simpler terms is long lasting neuromuscular side effects following the traumatic injury.
Struck By Falling Object On A British Airways Flight
Stendel, who now notes that she is seeing double, was allegedly sleeping in her aisle seat while traveling between Frankfurt and London before an onward connecting flight to the United States, when another passenger accessed their belongings from the overhead locker. When opening the overhead, the full metal drink bottle fell from the bin and hit the 53-year-old woman on the top of the head.
The bottle fell at speed and lacerated the individual’s scalp, resulting in what has been classed as latent post-traumatic stress disorder, and led to a concussion. Stendel has been tested in the bottom third percentile for visual memory following the incident. At the time, the passenger was a graduate preparing for her Occupational Therapy national board licensing examination, and as a result of the incident, the severe cognitive impairment incapacitated Stendel, which forced her into a 12-week delay in taking her exam.
As Stendel’s injury occurred through no fault of her own, the trauma and ongoing medical issues have led to Stendel suing the British carrier due to the lack of retention barriers within the overhead bin that should protect heavy items from falling. Stendel’s attorney Robert Morrin explains to the Independent:
“What is particularly troubling about the allegations is that Andrea was asleep when this occurred and had no opportunity to protect herself. The complaint further alleges that the overhead compartment lacked retention barriers designed to prevent heavy loose objects from falling and that, after she was injured, the flight crew failed to provide adequate assistance or complete the incident report they told her they would prepare.”
Peacefully Sleeping When A Falling Object Struck The Head
British Airways has confirmed that the case is subject to ongoing legal proceedings and thus has not provided a comment at this time. The flight on which the incident occurred was BA903; full details below:
Flight Number | BA903 |
|---|---|
Date | August 28, 2024 |
From | Frankfurt (FRA) |
To | London (LHR) |
Aircraft | Airbus A320 |
Stendel had originally been assigned seat 13B, and before the flight another passenger offered her the aisle seat, which she accepted. Following a standard takeoff, Stendel fell asleep, and then, without warning, another passenger went to open the overhead bin to claim a personal item when the full metal drink bottle was displaced and fell onto Stendel’s head.
The claim suggests that overhead bins have a critical defect in which they do not have safety retention netting or containment screens that would prevent heavy, loose items from falling should the overhead bin be opened.
Once Stendel was struck, cabin crew were quick to provide first aid, including a trash bag that was filled with ice. The complaint outlines that the ice quickly melted and soaked through onto Stendel, adding additional distress.
How To Ensure Items Are Secured In The Overhead Locker
While the claims for additional safety mechanisms for overhead bins are up for debate, current practice to ensure items are secure in the overhead locker is that roller bags are placed wheels-first and on their side, while backpacks or small carry-on bags are fully zipped with loose items inside.
When loading luggage, loose items like duty-free, souvenirs, or drink bottles should be, where possible, stowed inside the bag, or if this is not possible, in your seat pocket or under your seat. It remains unclear where the metal drink bottle that struck Stendel was placed at the time it fell.
The case of this unlucky passenger, who was the victim of this random incident, illustrates how a small lapse in judgment can cause lasting injuries.
