A serious incident unfolded at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport Saturday night when an aircraft tug collided with an arriving plane, leaving a 64-year-old tug driver critically injured.
At approximately 7:35 p.m. local time, Air Wisconsin Flight 6181, operating under the American Eagle brand, was nearing its gate after landing from Kalamazoo, Michigan, when it was struck by an aircraft tug. The tug, operated by a United Airlines worker, collided with the wing of the Bombardier CRJ-200, causing the tug to flip over. The driver was trapped underneath and sustained severe head and lower body injuries.
The injured man was rushed to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, where he was stabilized in critical condition. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the 50 passengers on board the flight. Airport authorities confirmed that the collision did not lead to significant disruptions to O’Hare’s operations.
Following the accident, all passengers were safely deplaned and bused to the terminal. A spokesperson for American Airlines, which operates Air Wisconsin, emphasized that safety is a top priority and stated they were thoroughly reviewing the incident. United Airlines also expressed concern for the injured worker, ensuring he receives appropriate support and care.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the cause of the collision. This incident comes just days after two separate aviation tragedies: the deadly medical helicopter crash in Philadelphia and a midair collision between a passenger jet and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C. The FAA’s ongoing investigation will aim to determine what led to this alarming accident at one of the world’s busiest airports.
As of now, it remains unclear what specific factors contributed to the collision, but authorities are working swiftly to address the situation and ensure similar incidents do not occur in the future.
