A ground marshall died Tuesday morning after being struck by an aircraft reversing on the tarmac at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport [1, 2].
The incident highlights the inherent dangers facing ground personnel during aircraft maneuvers and raises questions regarding safety protocols on the runway.
The collision occurred Monday evening, Aug. 24 [1, 3]. The victim, a ground marshall estimated to be around 40 years old, was hit by a plane that was moving in reverse [1, 5]. Emergency measures were implemented around 7:30 p.m. [4].
Following the impact on Monday, the worker remained in critical condition overnight before dying on Tuesday, Aug. 25 [1, 2]. The airport has confirmed one fatality resulting from the accident [1].
"Emergency measures were implemented around 7:30 p.m.," a spokesperson for the airport said [4].
Authorities have not yet released the specific identity of the aircraft involved or the airline operating the flight. The incident took place directly on the airport tarmac, where ground crew members guide pilots during takeoff and landing sequences to ensure safe movement.
“A ground marshall died Tuesday morning after being struck by an aircraft reversing on the tarmac.”
This fatality underscores the critical risks associated with 'pushback' and reversing maneuvers at major hubs. Because aircraft have limited rearward visibility, ground crews rely on strict communication and positioning protocols; any failure in these systems can lead to catastrophic accidents in high-traffic environments like Montréal-Trudeau.
