An unfortunate incident unfolded on a Saturday evening at O'Hare International Airport when a plane's wing made critical contact with an aircraft tug, resulting in severe injuries to the tug vehicle's driver. Around 6:58 p.m., as reported by NBC Chicago, the wing of an Air Wisconsin flight, operating for American Airlines, struck the tug, causing it to overturn and trap the driver beneath.
The 64-year-old male driver was rushed to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in critical condition. He sustained significant injuries to his head and lower extremities but was eventually stabilized, according to ABC 7 Chicago. Fortunately, they were to quickly recover from the shock onboard the aircraft, and no further injuries have been reported from passengers or crew.
The Chicago Department of Aviation provided a brief on the incident stating that a tug vehicle made contact with Air Wisconsin Flight 6181 at O'Hare International Airport. They also confirmed that there was no significant impact on other airport operations as a result of this event. Subsequently, American Airlines released a statement reinforcing their commitment to safety, "Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and team members, and we are reviewing this incident," illustrating the gravity with which they treated this unexpected encounter.
Meanwhile, United Airlines, the employer of the injured tug operator, stated that "a United tug at O'Hare made contact with another airline's aircraft while it was taxiing" and communicated their intention to fully support their employee throughout his recovery process. This unfortunate event has brought to light the ever-present risks airport personnel face, even during routine ground operations. Investigations are still ongoing by Area Five detectives to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
