Airport worker killed during French Bee pushback at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport

MONTREAL, Aug 25. A ground worker employed by Samsic was killed Monday at YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport in Quebec, Canada, after being struck by an Airbus A350 operated by French Bee during a pushback operation, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and airport officials. The incident occurred ahead of Flight BF5761's scheduled departure to Paris-Orly, French Bee disclosed. The exact circumstances, the airline said, "remain to be established."

The worker was not identified by airport officials. French Bee, a low-cost airline, said the accident happened during ground operations and that the aircraft's pushback was underway at the time. The airline said it is cooperating with Canadian authorities and providing all necessary assistance to the investigation. A French Bee spokesperson said the airline "extends its deepest condolences to the individual's family and loved ones as well as its support to colleagues and all teams affected by this event."

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating. The Quebec coroner's office was notified of the death and is examining its causes and circumstances, CityNews reported. Samsic and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada were contacted for additional information.

Aéroports de Montréal, the airport operator known as ADM, said it has been cooperating with investigating authorities since the outset of their work. Yves Beauchamp, president and chief executive officer of ADM, said in a statement that "the loss of a member of our airport community affects us all deeply." ADM said it worked with partners to provide assistance to employees and passengers who witnessed the incident. The operator said it would not comment further out of respect for the victim and directed media inquiries to the authorities leading the investigation.

Prior incidents at North American airports

The Montreal fatality follows two other deadly incidents at major North American airports. Earlier this year, a Delta Air Lines employee was killed at Orlando International Airport after an airport tug vehicle crashed into a jet bridge. At Denver International Airport, a Frontier Airlines jet struck and killed a person who was walking on a runway at around the same time.