A passenger's fall on ordinary stairs during embarkation does not constitute an 'accident' within s 28 of the Civil Aviation (Carriers' Liability) Act 1959 (Cth), even where the passenger was confused by inadequate directions and the stairs lacked safety features such as non-slip nosings. The concept of 'accident' requires an unexpected or unusual event external to the passenger, and concepts of common law negligence (such as the safety of the means of access) are irrelevant to that inquiry. A passenger's personal reaction to ordinary features of embarkation is peculiar to the passenger and not an external event.
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