Flight makes emergency landing with worker trapped in cargo hold
An Alaskan Airlines flight from Seattle to Los Angeles had to make an emergency landing because a ramp employee was trapped in the cargo hold.
The pilot of Flight 448 turned back to Seattle 14 minutes into the flight after he heard banging below.
He declared an emergency with priority landing and, on arrival, the worker was discovered.
According to Alaskan Airlines, he had fallen asleep in the presurised cargo hold while doing his shift.
The worker, who works for contractor Menzies Aviation, walked off the plane.
He has since been tested for drugs and discharged from hospital with the all-clear.
He had been working as part of a team of four loading baggage on the flight.
"The employee started work at 5am and was scheduled to end his shift at 2:30pm," said the airline in a statement.
"During a pre-departure huddle, the team lead noticed the employee was missing.
"The team lead called into the cargo hold for the employee and called and texted the employee’s cell phone, but did not receive an answer. His co-workers believed he finished his shift and went home."
It added that all ramp employees have security badges and undergo full criminal background checks and drug screening prior to being hired.
"They are also subjected to random drug tests throughout their employment," it said.
There were 170 passengers and six crew members on the flight, which eventually took off again and made it to Los Angeles.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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