An Emirates cargo plane skidded off the runway into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport, resulting in the deaths of two ground crew members and the rescue of four crew members onboard. The incident occurred after landing from Dubai, and authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.
A 38-year-old man on a Southwest Airlines flight in New Orleans climbed out onto the wing of the grounded plane and jumped to the ground, leading baggage crews on a chase. The man, who suffered a "mental health emergency," was subdued by ground crew and taken to the hospital. There is no indication of criminal charges locally, but the case has been referred to federal authorities. The incident caused a delay of around three hours for passengers traveling to Atlanta during the busy Thanksgiving weekend. Southwest Airlines commended their crews for their swift action and apologized to customers for the inconvenience.
A 27-year-old worker at San Antonio International Airport died by suicide after jumping into a Delta Air Lines plane engine while attempting to hand his supervisor a suicide note. The incident occurred as the plane was taxiing to the gate, causing the aircraft to shake. The worker, employed by Unifi Aviation, a contractor for Delta's ground operations, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a suicide, and the police department and NTSB concluded their investigations. This tragic incident highlights the importance of workplace safety and the need for proper training and enforcement of safety procedures.
An airline ground crew member died in a fatal accident at San Antonio International Airport on Friday evening. The airport did not identify the ground crew member or explain how they died. The person was employed by a company that Delta Air Lines contracts with to support ground handling operations. Delta Air Lines expressed their condolences and said they are fully supporting the investigation. Operations are now running normally at the airport.
American Airlines' "tight turn" is the process of preparing an aircraft for its next departure as soon as passengers disembark. The goal is to complete the turnaround in 90-120 minutes for international flights and 45-50 minutes for domestic flights. A tight turnaround is crucial for airlines to be efficient and on-time, which can lead to higher profitability. The process involves various teams, including gate agents, baggage handlers, catering, cleaning, and fueling crews. American Airlines uses technology and communication tools to ensure a smooth turnaround and achieve its goal of departing on time.