As investigators look into the passing of a 39-year-old ground handler at Montreal’s airport, a traveler on a flight to Paris recounts the shock of witnessing the tragic pushback incident on his seatback screen.
“I noticed the nose landing gear. Suddenly, it appeared as if the ground worker had lost his footing, and at that moment, the plane began to reverse, causing a jolt that we felt,” Matthieu Douvenou shared, reflecting on the moments leading up to the scheduled departure of French Bee Flight 351.
“I quickly realized that something very serious had occurred.”
The deceased has been identified as Oscar Robayo, as confirmed by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) in a Facebook post.
According to the IAM, Robayo worked as a ramp agent for Samsic, which provides both baggage handling and passenger services at the Montreal airport.
Numerous emergency vehicles were visible at the airport on Monday evening near a French Bee aircraft. (Name withheld)
‘Devastating workplace accident’
The aircraft implicated in the incident belongs to French Bee and was set to depart for Paris at 6 p.m. ET on Monday.
“At this point, the precise details of the accident, which took place during the pushback procedure, are still being established,” stated French Bee in a message to CBC News.
The airport authorities reported that emergency protocols were activated around 7:30 p.m. Robayo was swiftly transported to a hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
“The loss of a member from our airport community impacts us all profoundly,” the airport authority expressed in a statement on Tuesday, describing the incident as a “devastating workplace accident.”
According to Radio-Canada, the flight had originally been scheduled to depart Montreal on Sunday but was delayed.
Some passengers aboard a French Bee flight witnessed the tragic death of a Montreal ground crew member who was hit by the aircraft through a live camera feed in the plane’s belly.
Passengers experienced the impact
Douvenou, still in Montreal, was meant to return to work in France on Monday, but he now remains in Quebec, grappling with the aftermath of the incident and a shaken trust in the airline.
“The images keep replaying in my mind,” Douvenou remarked. “Typically, I am not afraid of flying, but at this moment, I am not at ease.”
Passengers felt a noticeable thud and shockwave as the aircraft slightly lifted during the collision, Douvenou recounted. He mentioned that one passenger screamed, while another, a nurse, offered to assist.
Compounding the distress, the aircraft is equipped with external cameras, including one located on the underside of the plane, which transmitted footage of the incident to certain passengers.
“I was encouraging those around me to stay calm, especially to avoid alarming the children too much,” Douvenou said, adding that the crew turned off the camera feed approximately 30 seconds later.
He mentioned that he has been struggling with sleep since the incident and is likely to seek any psychological support available.
Investigation initiated
On Monday evening, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada acknowledged the incident and directed media inquiries to the airport. A team was dispatched to the scene on Tuesday.
The federal Labour Program has initiated an investigation under the Canada Labour Code concerning Samsic Assistance Canada Inc., the employer of the victim.
In a statement expressing condolences to Robayo’s family and colleagues, Employment and Social Development Canada indicated that the investigation would assess whether the employer fulfilled its legal health and safety responsibilities, noting that the information gathered will remain confidential.
The airport stated that it is cooperating with the authorities conducting the investigation and has “promptly implemented support and assistance measures for staff and passengers who witnessed this tragic incident.”
French Bee has also stated that it is cooperating “with the relevant Canadian authorities” during the investigation.