Passengers aboard an Air Canada flight were understandably shaken after hearing terrifying screams and thuds coming from the cargo hold just before takeoff. This unsettling incident occurred on Flight AC1502, which was already taxiing at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, bound for Moncton, New Brunswick.
Stephanie Cure, a passenger and travel blogger, recounted the chilling moment: “As we were taxiing, I heard the baggage crew underneath the plane yelling for help and banging on the bottom,” she shared on Instagram.
Another passenger, Gabriel Caron, mentioned that several people seated at the back could hear the man calling out and trying to attract attention. He told CBC that the situation was alarming and unusual.
Cure observed that flight attendants were moving about and ground staff congregated around the aircraft, indicating that something was amiss. She even posted a video showing how the pilots were managing this unexpected crisis during the December 13 flight.
“I’ve never gone through something like this before, and I hope it’s the first and last time,” she expressed, adding that the pilot confirmed they needed to taxi to address the situation. Fortunately, he assured everyone that the trapped individual was safe and unharmed.
Ultimately, the plane returned to the terminal, and the baggage handler was freed. Following this event, the flight was canceled. An Air Canada spokesperson explained that on December 13, 2025, the cargo door had been inadvertently shut while the ground crew was still inside. Although there were no injuries reported, they recognized the gravity of the situation and emphasized the need for stricter safety protocols with their ground staff.
