A ground crew worker at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport has died after reportedly being struck by an aircraft on the tarmac Monday evening.
The flight, operated by French bee, collided with the man while backing up on a runway at around 7:30 p.m., just before its scheduled takeoff to Paris.
The man, later identified as 39-year-old Oscar Robayo, was hospitalized with serious injuries.
In an update, officials said the injuries were life-threatening.
“The employee, acting as a wing walker, fell directly in front of the aircraft’s nose gear,” Breaking Aviation News & Videos wrote.
“The aircraft, stranded due to prior technical issues, was preparing for a ferry flight. Emergency services responded immediately; the plane remains grounded pending investigation,” it added.
A ground crew member has been critically injured after tripping and being run over by a Frenchbee A350 during pushback at Montreal-Trudeau.
The incident occurred around 7:00 pm on August 24 as the seven-year-old A350-900, originally scheduled to depart at 6:00 pm, began its… pic.twitter.com/2oe2rd88AD
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) August 25, 2026
CBC shared further:
According to the IAM, he was a ramp agent with Samsic Airport, which also provides baggage handling as well as passenger services at the Montreal airport.
The plane involved in the incident belongs to the airline French bee and was scheduled to leave for Paris at 6 p.m. ET on Monday.
“At this stage, the exact circumstances of the accident, which occurred during the aircraft pushback operation, remain to be established,” wrote French bee’s director of public affairs, Vanessa Boucher, in a statement to CBC.
According to the airport authority, emergency measures were deployed around 7:30 p.m. Robayo was then rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
“The loss of a member of our airport community affects us all deeply,” the airport authority wrote in a statement Tuesday, calling the incident a “tragic workplace accident.”
Radio-Canada is reporting that the flight in question was originally scheduled to leave Montreal on Sunday but was postponed.
French bee said it’s cooperating “with the relevant Canadian authorities” as the tragic incident is investigated.
“Passengers and crew members on board the aircraft are safe and sound. They are currently being cared for by French Bee and airport staff,” the airline said, according to PEOPLE.
“As a part of the @yulaeroport community, we are devastated to learn of the tragic accident at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. On behalf of our employees, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of the Samsic employee,” Air Canada wrote.
As a part of the @yulaeroport community, we are devastated to learn of the tragic accident at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. On behalf of our employees, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of the Samsic employee. https://t.co/2NnytRmraw
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) August 25, 2026
PEOPLE has more:
One passenger on the French Bee flight claimed to Radio-Canada that she saw a man pass under the plane while it was moving.
“Many [passengers] were screaming,” she recalled to the outlet of the frenzy that took place after the incident.
The incident disrupted several flights for several hours, Radio-Canada reported. However, airport operations returned to normal as of Tuesday, Aug. 25, per CBC and The Montreal Gazette.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, an independent agency that investigates air travel incidents, is investigating the incident, according to CBC and Radio-Canada.
