Air Canada Flight AC1502 Returns After Baggage Handler Trapped in Cargo Hold

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 14, 2026 at 06:34 PM•3 min read

SAFETY

Air Canada Flight AC1502 Returns After Baggage Handler Trapped in Cargo Hold

Air Canada flight AC1502 returned to the gate at Toronto Pearson after passengers heard screams, discovering a baggage handler trapped in the cargo hold, prompting a safety review.

Key Points

1Air Canada Flight AC1502 (Toronto-Moncton) was forced to abort taxiing on December 13, 2025, after passengers reported screams from the cargo hold.
2A baggage handler was found trapped inside the cargo compartment after the doors were inadvertently closed; the worker was rescued uninjured.
3Air Canada confirmed the potential safety issue and stated it has reinforced its ground safety procedures following the incident.
4The flight, operated by Air Canada Rouge, was ultimately canceled after multiple delays and a crew change.

An Air Canada flight was forced to return to the gate. This happened after passengers heard frantic screams and banging. The noise came from the aircraft's cargo hold. The incident occurred on December 13, 2025, aboard Flight AC1502. This flight was operated by Air Canada Rouge. It was scheduled to fly from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Moncton, New Brunswick (YQM). The news came to light in January 2026, after passenger video surfaced.

Incident Details and Response

The aircraft had begun taxiing toward the runway. Passengers seated near the rear reported loud noises from below the cabin floor. The sounds included repeated banging and shouting. Some passengers alerted cabin crew immediately. One passenger reportedly called emergency services.

Flight attendants quickly ran back and forth. Ground crew members were seen gathering around the plane. The flight crew halted the taxi operation. They requested clearance to return to the gate.

Rescue and Aftermath

Upon returning to the terminal, the cargo hold was opened. Crew members found a baggage handler trapped inside. Air Canada confirmed the cargo doors were inadvertently closed while a ground crew member was still inside. The worker was rescued safely and reported no physical injuries.

The captain made an announcement to passengers. He confirmed the baggage handler trapped situation. He reassured everyone the worker was "perfectly fine and safe."

The Toronto Moncton flight AC1502 faced multiple delays. The flight was eventually canceled due to crew duty-time limits. A subsequent mechanical issue on a replacement aircraft contributed to the final cancellation.

Safety and Procedural Review

Air Canada released a statement following the event. The airline confirmed the incident presented a potential safety issue. They stated they have reinforced ground safety procedures with their crews. An internal investigation is now underway. The goal is to determine how the worker became trapped.

This incident highlights the complexity of aircraft turnaround operations. Airlines rely on strict protocols. These protocols prevent personnel from being inside cargo compartments. A lapse in these standard procedures is considered serious. Had the Air Canada Rouge A319 taken off, the consequences could have been catastrophic. Cargo holds are not designed for human occupancy.

The cargo hold environment can pose significant risks. This includes low temperatures and fluctuating oxygen levels.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) promotes global safety standards. These standards are vital for ground handling procedures.
This event serves as a reminder of the need for rigorous safety checks. This is true for all aspects of commercial aviation news and operations.

Experts stress the importance of clear communication. Proper checklists must be followed before closing doors. This ensures the safety of all ground personnel. The incident underscores the human element in aviation safety. Further analysis on this and other industry developments can be found on flying.flights.