[Adrian B]

Just read in The Australian

Aussie asylum take-off aborted after plane's stairs left hanging

A CHARTERED Airbus with a full load of 120 asylum-seekers and Australian officials had to abort its take-off from the Cocos Islands on Sunday night because its rear stairs were trailing along the tarmac.

The Australian said customs officials and customers at the nearby Cocos Island Club had to rush to the airfield apron, climb over the perimeter fence and run towards the plane waving their arms to alert the pilot to the problem.

When the plane stopped, an airfield manager used a radio to contact the pilot.

Australian electronics businessman Jack O'Donnell, who was at the Cocos Club, said people were shocked to see the plane trailing the rear stairs as it taxied on to the tarmac.

The trailing stairs caused a shower of sparks as the plane picked up speed.

O'Donnell said the "trailing stairs caused a hell of a racket and were sending out sparks".

When the pilot was informed, the rear door was opened and the stairs withdrawn into their separate hatch.

The pilot then recommenced the take-off.

A spokesman for the Air Transport Safety Bureau there had been no report received of the incident but it did expect one within the 72-hour reporting period.