A shocking airport surveillance video has resurfaced online showing the horrifying moment a ground crew worker at Montgomery Regional Airport was fatally pulled into a jet engine moments after the plane arrived at the gate. The disturbing footage has reignited debates over airline safety, worker training, and the dangers of human error in high-risk environments.
The incident occurred as an American Eagle aircraft operated by Envoy Air had just completed a routine flight and parked at the gate. The engines were still running to allow for post-landing procedures when tragedy struck.
In the footage, a ground handler — wearing a high-visibility vest — walks toward the aircraft’s left engine while another worker can be seen signaling nearby. Suddenly, within seconds, the powerful suction from the engine pulls the worker directly inside, disappearing from view. The engine immediately flames out as the horrified team rushes toward the scene.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later confirmed the victim was performing ramp duties at the time and that the engine was still powered. According to their investigation, the worker had been warned multiple times to stay back until the engines had fully powered down — a safety rule enforced at every major airline.
“This was an unthinkable tragedy — one that could have been avoided,” said an airport safety official. “It’s a heartbreaking reminder that one moment of misjudgment can cost a life.”
Reports suggest the worker may have been trying to position a safety cone when the incident occurred. Engine inlets are known to generate suction forces strong enough to pull in an adult from several feet away, especially during the spool-down phase when blades are still spinning rapidly.
Following the tragedy, American Airlines and Envoy Air temporarily suspended all ground operations at the airport while federal investigators conducted on-site inspections. The airline released a statement calling it “a devastating loss” and pledged full cooperation with authorities to prevent future accidents.
This isn’t the first time such an incident has occurred in aviation history — but it remains extremely rare. Aviation experts emphasize that safety procedures are designed to prevent this kind of disaster, with multiple visual markers and communication signals in place. “For an event like this to happen,” one expert said, “it usually takes a chain of errors — not just one mistake.”
Since the accident, new training modules have been introduced for ramp agents across multiple U.S. airports. Some now include enhanced engine-shutdown verification and motion-restricted zones to minimize risk during aircraft arrivals.
The viral video has sparked emotional responses across social media, with many users expressing both grief and outrage. “These workers are heroes who keep our airports running,” one commenter wrote. “They deserve better safety measures and more respect.”
As the investigation’s final report looms, one thing is certain — this tragic moment has become a chilling reminder of the unseen dangers faced by those working just feet away from jet engines every single day.
Behind every safe landing is a crew risking everything to keep the skies — and the ground — running smoothly.
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