NEW DELHI: An IndiGo loader fell asleep in the cargo hold of an aircraft at Mumbai Airport on December 12 that was being prepared for a flight to Abu Dhabi.
The aircraft took off with the loader in the pressurised cargo hold and he was found—safe—on arrival in the UAE. He was sent back on the return flight of the aircraft.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is probing this lapse and some IndiGo personnel have been taken off duty pending the investigation.
“On December 12, an IndiGo A320 aircraft was to operate as 6E-1835 from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi. After baggage loading was completed, one of the loaders relaxed in baggage compartment 1 and fell asleep behind the baggage. The cargo door was closed after the hold staff had marked the head count,” said a senior official, probing this lapse.
“The loader woke up as the aircraft took off from Mumbai. It was detected at Abu Dhabi and medical examination of this loader was conducted by Abu Dhabi authorities. His physical condition was stable and normal. After getting the requisite clearances from the local authorities, he was sent back as a passenger to Mumbai on return flight,” the official added.
Comments from IndiGo were awaited till the time of going to press.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/cargo-handler-sleeps-in-plane-reaches-uae/articleshow/88285994.cms
