A baggage handler was found trapped in the cargo hold of an Air Canada Rouge Airbus A319 as the aircraft began to taxi for takeoff from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on December 13. Passengers on board heard banging and yelling from below the cabin, alerting flight crew to the serious safety incident.
Key Takeaways
- Baggage handler discovered in cargo hold during taxi.
- Passengers heard noises and alerted cabin crew.
- Flight was delayed by several hours and later canceled.
- The incident prompted a series of further delays for passengers.
Unexpected Discovery Halts Takeoff
The Air Canada Rouge flight, scheduled to depart Toronto for Moncton, New Brunswick, experienced an initial delay. Boarding commenced around 6:30 PM, several hours after its original 2:00 PM departure time. As the Airbus A319 pushed back from the gate and began moving towards the runway, passengers noticed unusual noises.
Reports from passengers indicated they heard distinct banging and yelling coming from the aircraft's belly. This quickly led to concerns among those on board, prompting them to alert the cabin crew. The crew then informed the cockpit about the potential issue.
Incident Details
- Date: December 13
- Airline: Air Canada Rouge
- Aircraft: Airbus A319-200
- Route: Toronto (YYZ) to Moncton (YQM)
Pilot Addresses Passengers After Delay
Upon receiving the reports, the pilot immediately stopped the aircraft on the apron. The plane remained stationary for an extended period, causing confusion among passengers. Eventually, the captain made an announcement over the loudspeaker, confirming that a person had been trapped in the cargo hold.
This revelation explained the noises and the sudden halt. The incident highlighted a significant lapse in ground operations safety protocols. The safety of ground personnel is paramount, and such occurrences are rare but serious.
"Passengers heard yelling and banging from below. It was soon realized that a person had been trapped in the belly of the aircraft."
Further Complications and Flight Cancellation
Following the discovery, the aircraft remained on the apron for approximately another hour. Due to the extended delay, the flight crew's permitted working hours were exceeded. This meant the original pilots could no longer operate the flight, leading to the disembarkation of all passengers.
Passengers were then asked to wait in the terminal. They reboarded the aircraft at around 10:00 PM, hoping to finally depart with a new set of pilots. However, more issues arose.
Route Information
The Toronto to Moncton route is a regularly scheduled service operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge. It connects Canada's largest city with Moncton, the largest city in New Brunswick. Moncton serves as a gateway to popular attractions like the Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park.
Mechanical Issues Add to Passenger Frustration
Even after reboarding with fresh pilots, the troubles for Flight AC1758 were not over. At 11:00 PM, while still on the apron, passengers were informed of a mechanical issue with the Airbus A319-200. This required repairs before the aircraft could be cleared for departure.
By 11:15 PM, passengers were deboarded for a second time. They received news that a replacement aircraft was being arranged. However, the replacement aircraft arrived just before midnight, and by 1:50 AM the next morning, the flight was officially canceled.
- Original scheduled departure: 2:00 PM
- Actual boarding start: 6:30 PM
- Incident during taxi: Approximately 7:00 PM
- Flight canceled: 1:50 AM (next day)
Long Delays and Eventual Departure
The cancellation meant passengers had to wait even longer. A replacement flight was scheduled for later on December 14. Ultimately, passengers reached Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport (YQM) approximately 24 hours after their initial scheduled departure time.
The incident could have had severe consequences if the baggage handler had remained undetected. The cargo hold of an airborne aircraft is an extremely dangerous environment, characterized by freezing temperatures, low oxygen levels, and intense pressure changes. Exposure to these conditions can lead to hypothermia, frostbite, unconsciousness, or even death.
Fortunately, the alertness of the passengers averted a potential tragedy, ensuring the handler was rescued before the aircraft could take off. Investigations into how the handler became trapped are likely underway to prevent similar incidents in the future.
