A routine airport operation turned deadly Monday at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport in Quebec, Canada, when a ground-handling employee was struck and killed by a passenger aircraft during ground operations.
The incident involved an Airbus A350 operated by French Bee, a low-cost French airline. According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), the aircraft was involved in the fatal accident while preparing for a scheduled flight to Paris-Orly.
Worker Killed During Aircraft Pushback
The victim worked for Samsic, a company responsible for ground-handling services at the airport. Authorities have not publicly identified the employee.
French Bee said the accident occurred during the pushback operation for Flight BF5761, which was preparing to depart for Paris-Orly. The airline stressed that the precise circumstances surrounding the collision had not yet been established.
The aircraft involved was an Airbus A350, a wide-body passenger jet commonly used for long-distance international flights. The accident occurred while the aircraft was being handled on the ground rather than during takeoff or landing.
French Bee expressed condolences to the victim's family and said it was cooperating fully with Canadian authorities investigating the incident.
Travelers and Airport Employees Witnessed the Accident
The tragedy also affected passengers and employees who were at the airport when the incident occurred.
Aéroports de Montréal (ADM), which operates Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, said it provided assistance and support to passengers and employees who witnessed the accident.
Yves Beauchamp, ADM's president and chief executive officer, described the death as a profound loss for the airport community and extended condolences to the victim's family, friends and colleagues.
The airport authority said it was cooperating with investigators and declined to provide additional details while the investigation continues.
Authorities Investigate What Went Wrong
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. The Quebec coroner's office has also been notified and is examining the cause and circumstances of the death.
Investigators will likely examine the aircraft's movement during pushback, ground-crew procedures, communications between the flight crew and ground personnel, and the safety measures in place around the aircraft.
At this stage, authorities have not publicly attributed responsibility for the accident.
Renewed Focus on Airport Ground Safety
The Montreal tragedy comes after other fatal incidents involving aircraft and airport workers or ground vehicles at major North American airports this year.
Earlier in 2026, a Delta Air Lines employee was killed after an airport tug vehicle crashed into a jet bridge at Orlando International Airport. Around the same period, a Frontier Airlines aircraft struck and killed a person walking on a runway at Denver International Airport.
Such incidents highlight the risks faced by workers operating close to large commercial aircraft. Although airports use established procedures, specialized vehicles and communication systems to protect ground personnel, even a brief breakdown in coordination can have catastrophic consequences.
The Montreal investigation is expected to determine exactly how the employee came into the path of the French Bee aircraft and whether any safety procedures were breached or failed.
For now, the airport community is mourning the worker while investigators work to establish what led to the deadly collision.
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