Authorities are currently investigating the tragic death of a 39-year-old ground handler at Montreal airport. A passenger on the Paris-bound flight recounted the distressing moment when the fatal pushback accident occurred on his in-flight screen. “I could see the nose landing gear. And then all of a sudden, it was as if the tarmac worker had stumbled, and then at that moment, the plane backed up and we felt the shock,” said Matthieu Douvenou, a witness on French Bee Flight 351.
The victim, identified as Oscar Robayo by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), was a ramp agent employed by Samsic, which provides baggage handling and passenger services at the airport. The incident involved a French Bee aircraft scheduled to depart for Paris at 6 p.m. ET on Monday.
French Bee issued a statement expressing that the exact circumstances of the accident during the pushback operation are still under investigation. Emergency measures were promptly deployed around 7:30 p.m., and Robayo was swiftly taken to the hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. The airport authority described the event as a “tragic workplace accident,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
Passengers onboard the flight felt a noticeable impact as the aircraft shifted, causing shock and alarm among them. Douvenou, still in Montreal due to the ordeal, shared his ongoing trauma and unease. The aircraft’s external cameras, including one capturing the incident, added to the distress of passengers who witnessed the tragedy unfold.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada acknowledged the incident and sent a team to investigate. The federal Labour Program has initiated an inquiry under the Canada Labour Code into Samsic Assistance Canada Inc. to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. The airport and French Bee are cooperating with authorities in the investigation and providing support to those affected by the distressing event.