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karatecatman · Guest

A passenger plane from Dublin to New York had to abort its take-off after air traffic controllers alerted the pilots that a baggage handler was trapped in the hold, says BBC.
The alarm was raised at Dublin airport after the anxious worker realised the plane was taxiing out to the runway, an air accident report has revealed.
It was ‘‘fortunate’’, the ministry of transport inspector John Hughes noted, that the 55-year-old baggage handler was carrying a mobile phone. He called air traffic control and alerted them to his predicament.
‘‘This was a serious incident,’’ the report warned. ‘‘Cases have occurred where loaders have been inadvertently locked in a hold. Some years ago, a loader was locked in a hold on a two-hour flight from Philadelphia to Chicago. This was a traumatic event for this person.’’
The incident occurred on December 28 2005 as an Aer Lingus Airbus 330 was preparing for take-off. There were 325 passengers on board.
The air crew initially thought a passenger, who might not have been able to fly, had six bags in the hold. Then it was discovered that a bag destined for Los Angeles was among the luggage.
The shift leader on the baggage team climbed into the hold to recover it. Meanwhile the bulk cargo hold door was closed by another baggage handler who did not realise his colleague was inside.
‘‘By this time the leader had located the Los Angeles bag. However, as the lights remained on in the hold he did not notice that pushback had commenced,’’ the report said.
‘‘When the engines powered up he realised that he was locked in.’’
The plane was recalled and the baggage handler was released. Mr Hughes recommended that procedures should be tightened up for the close-up of aircraft and the late removal of items from the hold.
The baggage handler would probably have survived the transatlantic flight trapped in the hold because it was pressurised and supplied with oxygen. Pets are usually carried in the hold.

D-ABTH · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:56 pm Post subject:

Its the ramp agents responsibility to check all holds before they are closed as part of departure checks, so really the ramp agent on that flight has to be answerable.
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If it aint Boeing.. I aint going.

HAWK21M · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:37 pm Post subject:

Out here Only Mx closes the Doors.Thats one of the many reasons why.
regds
MEL
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Think of the Brighter side !!!