3 minNews
Airport worker killed after being struck by passenger jet in Montreal
An airport worker was killed Monday after being struck by a passenger jet during ground operations at YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. The employee worked for ground-handling company Samsic and was involved in the pushback of a French Bee Airbus A350 ahead of a flight to Paris.
An airport worker was killed Monday after being struck by a passenger jet during ground operations at YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport in Quebec, Canada, airport officials said. The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was employed by ground-handling company Samsic, according to Aéroports de Montréal (ADM).
The incident involved an Airbus A350 operated by French Bee, a low-cost airline, and occurred during the aircraft's pushback operation ahead of the departure of Flight BF5761 to Paris-Orly, the carrier confirmed. French Bee said the exact circumstances of the accident "remain to be established" and that the airline is fully cooperating with Canadian authorities investigating the event.
"The airline extends its deepest condolences to the individual's family and loved ones as well as its support to colleagues and all teams affected by this event," a French Bee spokesperson said. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has been notified and is involved in the investigation.
In a statement, ADM officials said they were "deeply saddened" by the loss. "The loss of a member of our airport community affects us all deeply," said Yves Beauchamp, president and chief executive officer of ADM. "During this difficult time, our thoughts are with the employee's family, loved ones and colleagues, to whom we extend our heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences."
ADM said it has worked with partners to provide assistance and support to employees and passengers who witnessed the accident. The airport authority is also cooperating with investigators and has declined further comment out of respect for the victim and their loved ones. The Quebec coroner's office has been notified and is investigating the causes and circumstances of the death.
The fatal incident in Montreal comes just months after two other deadly events at major North American airports. Earlier this year, a Delta Air Lines employee was killed on the job after an airport tug vehicle crashed into a jet bridge at Orlando International Airport. Around the same time, a Frontier Airlines jet struck and killed a person walking on a runway at Denver International Airport.
Ground operations at major airports involve a complex choreography of vehicles, equipment, and personnel working in close proximity to aircraft. Pushback operations, during which a tug pushes an aircraft away from the gate, are considered a routine but high-risk phase of ground handling. Investigators will examine factors including communication protocols, visibility, and equipment operation as they work to determine what led to Monday's tragedy.
