This story incorporates reporting from New York Daily News, WCCB, WABI-TV and Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati.
An American Airlines employee suffered a fatal accident on the tarmac of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina, on Monday morning. The employee was hit by an airline ramp vehicle near a gate where planes park. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m., as confirmed by both the airline and airport officials.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police responded to reports of the accident at approximately 9:38 a.m., arriving shortly thereafter at the airport. The employee was pronounced dead at the scene. While the identity of the deceased has not been released, the tragic occurrence has deeply affected team members and colleagues at the site.
American Airlines expressed its profound sorrow over the incident, stating, "We are devastated by the accident involving a team member. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our local team members." The company also mentioned that it is focused on providing support to those affected.
In a statement, airport officials conveyed their condolences to the employee's family, friends, and colleagues, recognizing the difficulty of this period for all involved. Furthermore, they assured the public that there were "no significant impacts to operations." Although the airport maintained regular function, several flights experienced delays due to the incident, leaving some passengers in disbelief as they witnessed the scene unfold.
Witnesses described a scene of confusion and concern as the accident occurred in full view of those aboard nearby aircraft. According to Ullman, a passenger preparing to depart for Los Angeles, the operations carried on as scheduled after the incident, but the emotional weight of the event was palpable among passengers and airport staff.
The specifics of how the accident occurred remain the subject of an ongoing investigation. While initial witness statements suggest the incident might have involved a blind spot complication, full details will only come to light following thorough investigative procedures, expected to assess both human and systemic factors at play.
Authorities have pledged to conduct a detailed inquiry to ensure understanding of the accident's circumstances and to prevent future occurrences of similar incidents. Meanwhile, support services have been activated for the family of the employee, as well as colleagues and others affected by the tragedy.