A ground handling error on an Air Canada Rouge Airbus A321 at Toronto Pearson International Airport was narrowly averted after passengers noticed something was wrong during taxi.
On flight AC1502, scheduled to operate from Toronto to Moncton, passengers reported noises coming from beneath the cabin to the flight crew. The aircraft subsequently stopped taxiing and returned to the gate. Checks revealed that a ground handling employee had been trapped inside the cargo hold. The worker was reported to be in good health.
An investigation was launched following the incident. After the resulting delays, the flight was ultimately canceled approximately 11 hours later due to a technical issue. It was noted that standard procedures—requiring confirmation that cargo compartments are empty before closure—were not followed in this case.
Image: Joe Carr
