“On Saturday evening, a United tug at O’Hare made contact with another airline’s aircraft while it was taxiing. The United employee was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, and we are ensuring he receives any necessary support and care.”
A fatal accident occurred at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Saturday evening when an aircraft tug flipped after colliding with an airplane, leaving the driver critically injured.
The incident took place at approximately 6:58 pm near the 0-100 block of West Twya Street, according to Chicago police. Officials said that a United Airlines tug was crossing a taxiway when it made contact with the wing of an aircraft. American Airlines later confirmed that the aircraft involved was an Air Wisconsin flight that had just arrived from Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Due to the impact, the tug flipped over, trapping its 64-year-old driver underneath. Emergency responders rushed him to Lutheran General Hospital in critical condition with head and lower body injuries. Fortunately, he was later stabilized, according to police.
No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew aboard the aircraft, though the collision did cause a delay in their disembarkation. Officials confirmed that overall airport operations were not significantly affected, ABC7 reported.
The Chicago Department of Aviation released a statement regarding the incident: "At approximately 7 p.m. Saturday, a tug vehicle made contact with Air Wisconsin Flight 6181 at O'Hare International Airport. No injuries were reported on the plane and passengers were transported to the terminal. There was no significant impact on airport operations."
American Airlines also responded, stating: "After safely landing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), American Eagle flight 6181, operated by Air Wisconsin from Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) to ORD, came into contact with a tug on an active taxiway. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and team members, and we are reviewing this incident."
United Airlines addressed the situation as well: "On Saturday evening, a United tug at O'Hare made contact with another airline's aircraft while it was taxiing. The United employee was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, and we are ensuring he receives any necessary support and care."
Authorities have not released any further details as the investigation into the incident continues.
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