In July 2018, an American Airlines employee died after being struck by a vehicle on the tarmac at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina. The victim was identified as 54-year-old Michael L. Winchester, a ramp agent for American Airlines. He was reportedly loading a cart onto a truck when he was hit by the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as a co-worker of Winchester’s, who was reportedly backing up the vehicle at the time of the accident. The driver was said to be cooperating with authorities and no charges had been filed at the time.
The incident caused a disruption to flight operations at the airport, with some flights being delayed or cancelled as a result. American Airlines issued a statement expressing their condolences to Winchester’s family and indicating that they were cooperating with investigating authorities.
The incident also raised questions about workplace safety standards and the protocols in place for ensuring the safety of employees working on the tarmac. Some industry experts suggested that the incident highlighted the need for greater awareness of safety issues and more training for employees.
In response to the incident, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker released a statement emphasizing the company’s commitment to safety and expressing his condolences to Winchester’s family. He also announced a review of the company’s safety protocols and procedures to ensure that they were adequate to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident at Charlotte Douglas International Airport was not the first time that an American Airlines employee had died in a tarmac-related incident. In 2016, a baggage handler for the airline was killed when he was pinned against a conveyor belt by a luggage-loading vehicle at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
The incident sparked national attention and prompted calls for improved workplace safety standards for airline employees. In response, American Airlines and other major airlines implemented a number of measures to improve safety, including increased training for employees and improved communication between workers on the tarmac.
Despite these efforts, incidents on the tarmac continue to occur, highlighting the ongoing need for greater awareness of safety issues and more effective safety protocols. The tragic death of Michael Winchester serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by airline employees working on the tarmac and underscores the importance of continued efforts to ensure their safety.