In a tragic turn of events, an American Airlines airport ground handler lost their life while working on the ramp at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Here is what is known about the incident so far
The incident occurred around 09:30 on Monday, January 27, 2025, and while the circumstances around the accident have not yet been detailed, officials did say that only one vehicle was involved. On Monday, Charlotte Douglas International Airport issued an official statement:
"Our deepest condolences go out to the employee's family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. The Airport is working closely with airline and first responder partners in the ongoing investigation and is providing support as needed. Airport chaplains are available onsite."
According to WCNC Charlotte, the American Airlines employee was killed in a vehicle accident on the ramp, near to where aircraft park to load passengers and baggage. A passenger on an aircraft parked nearby told WCNC they saw the employee who appeared to have been struck by a vehicle on the ramp.
A photo from the scene showed several emergency vehicles near the B Concourse around 09:30 on Monday. The report added that another passenger on an inbound flight to Charlotte said their plane was delayed near the emergency vehicles and described seeing numerous emergency vehicles surrounding several baggage carts. An initial statement from the airport said:
"Emergency and medical crews have responded to an incident on the ramp at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. There are no significant impacts to operations and more information will follow.
Photos from the scene obtained by WCNC indicate the incident does not appear to involve any flights or aircraft, although numerous emergency vehicles and luggage carts were parked near the incident. The airport experienced some delays linked to weather and clouds, but the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lists no substantial flight delays for aircraft arriving or departing Charlotte.
The quick response was not enough
FL360aero reported that emergency and medical crews were dispatched to a single-vehicle accident involving an employee struck by a vehicle on the tarmac. The first responders were quickly on the scene, but the person, who has not yet been named, could not be saved. The Airport authorities said they were working closely with the airline and first responders in the investigation.
American Airlines confirmed that the person who died was one of their employees and issued the following statement:
"We are devastated by the accident involving a team member at Charlotte International Airport (CLT). Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our local team members. We are focused on ensuring that all involved have the support they need during this difficult time."
Some painful memories have resurfaced at Charlotte International
While lightning may not strike in the same place twice, Monday's incident has evoked some painful memories for ground workers at the airport. In 2019, an American Airlines employee was killed while working at the airport when the tug he was driving hit luggage on the tarmac and flipped.
The North Carolina Department of Labor alleged that Piedmont Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, had not created an "employment free from recognized hazards that were causing or were likely to cause death or serious injury." According to WCNC, the airline faced three citations:
- Not furnishing a safe workspace, specifically regarding seatbelts
- Failure to evaluate truck operator's performance every three years
- Failure to not examine trucks for defects after each shift
