Air Canada Crew Member Accidentally Locked in Cargo Hold at Toronto Airport
In a startling aviation incident, an Air Canada crew member found himself trapped inside the cargo hold of a flight preparing for departure from Toronto's Pearson International Airport. The event occurred in December but has recently surfaced after travel bloggers aboard the aircraft shared their disturbing experiences. The flight was ultimately canceled following the discovery.
Passengers Hear Desperate Banging and Screaming
French Canadian travel blogger Stephanie Curé posted details about the incident on her Instagram account. She included a video where a passenger can be heard saying, "I've never had that in my life. First time, hopefully the first and last. But that's the reason we had to taxi — get that person out of the airplane. The good news is that the person is perfectly fine and safe."
Curé wrote in her post, "We had already started taxiing when a baggage crew member was under the aircraft in the cargo and could be heard yelling for help and banging underneath us. Thankfully, he got out safely. I still can't believe this happened."
Another passenger, Gabrielle Caron, recounted hearing screaming and loud banging noises as the trapped crew member attempted to alert others. The worker was a member of the ground crew responsible for handling baggage and cargo operations.
Air Canada Confirms Incident and Safety Procedures
Air Canada issued an official statement confirming the unusual event. The airline explained that the cargo hold doors closed inadvertently while the crew member was still inside. Company representatives emphasized that the individual was rescued promptly and sustained no injuries. No other passengers or crew members were harmed during the incident.
Aviation Expert Points to Procedural Oversight
Aviation industry analyst John Gradek spoke with CBC about the incident, attributing it to a breakdown in standard procedures. He stated, "When somebody closed the door of that baggage hold and permitted the aircraft to be dispatched, there was a task that was not completed of ensuring that the number of people that were standing around this individual dispatching the airplane seemed to be one short, and no action was taken."
Gradek further explained that had the aircraft taken off, the crew member would likely have survived the flight. He noted there would be no significant danger of hypothermia in the cargo hold during normal flight conditions. However, the psychological trauma and physical discomfort of being trapped in a confined, dark space remain serious concerns.
Flight Cancellation and Passenger Reactions
The discovery of the trapped crew member led to immediate action from the flight crew. The aircraft, which had already begun taxiing toward the runway, returned to the gate area. Emergency personnel quickly extracted the worker from the cargo compartment. Following safety protocols and assessments, Air Canada decided to cancel the flight entirely.
Passengers expressed both shock and relief about the situation. Many described the moments of confusion when they heard unexplained noises coming from beneath the aircraft. The delay and subsequent cancellation caused significant inconvenience, but most travelers acknowledged that safety must come first in such circumstances.
This incident highlights the critical importance of strict adherence to safety checklists and communication protocols in aviation operations. While mechanical failures often dominate aviation safety discussions, human factors and procedural lapses can create equally dangerous situations. The aviation industry continuously works to refine these procedures, but this event serves as a reminder that vigilance must never waver.
