A ground operations employee was critically injured at Chicago O’Hare International Airport when an American Eagle flight, operated by Air Wisconsin, collided with an aircraft tug. The incident occurred amid a series of aviation accidents in the United States.
Air Wisconsin Flight 6181 had just completed a short journey from Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Chicago. The Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft, registered as N420AW, was taxiing to its gate when it hit a ground tug on the taxiway. This collision caused the tug to overturn and trap its 64-year-old driver underneath.
American Airlines issued a statement: “After safely landing at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), American Eagle flight 6181, operated by Air Wisconsin from Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) to ORD, came into contact with a tug on an active taxiway. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and team members, and we are reviewing this incident.”
The injured driver was taken to Lutheran General Hospital with serious head and lower body injuries but has been stabilized. He is employed by United Airlines rather than American Airlines. United released their own statement: “On Saturday evening, a United tug at O’Hare made contact with another airline’s aircraft while it was taxiing. The United employee was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, and we are ensuring he receives any necessary support and care.”
No passengers were harmed during the incident which did not significantly disrupt airport operations.
This event adds to recent aviation incidents in the U.S., including a fatal accident involving an American Airlines ramp agent at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on January 28th and America’s deadliest aviation accident in 25 years involving an American Eagle flight colliding midair with a Blackhawk helicopter over the Potomac River.
In another tragic occurrence last week, a medical jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport resulting in multiple fatalities.
Despite these events raising concerns about aviation safety in the U.S., experts maintain that flying remains safer than driving. However, recent close-call incidents have prompted an FAA investigation into issues such as outdated technology and staffing shortages contributing to near-misses nationwide.
