A tragic incident took place on Wednesday afternoon, May 29, 2024, when an individual was fatally sucked into the running jet engine of a KLM aircraft at Schipol Airport in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The Embraer E190 jet, a part of KLM’s Cityhopper service, was getting ready to depart for Billund, Denmark when the incident happened. The identity of the deceased has not yet been revealed but he worked for a company operating at the airport.
Passengers on the plane reported hearing a “hellish noise” when the man was drawn into the jet turbine. One passenger told the media that “many people saw it happen,” magnifying the traumatic impact of the incident.
In a statement, KLM confirmed the incident: “A deadly incident occurred at Schiphol today when an individual was drawn into a running aircraft engine, resulting in their death. Efforts are being made to support the passengers and employees who witnessed the event. The situation is currently under investigation.”
The investigation is being led by The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, the national military police force. They highlighted in their statement that all passengers and employees involved in the incident have been deplaned and are receiving appropriate care and support.
Schiphol Airport, one of the busiest aviation centers in Europe, also released a statement: “Our thoughts go out to the relatives of the deceased, and we are taking care of the passengers and colleagues who witnessed this tragic event.” The airport referred to the incident as “horrible,” emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Mark Harbers, Dutch Infrastructure Minister, shared his condolences on social media platform X, stating, “Tragic news from Schiphol today as a fatal accident occurred. My condolences to the victim’s family and those who witnessed the incident.” KLM CEO Marjan Rintel echoed Harbers’ sentiment, ensuring that the airline is providing all the necessary support to those affected.
This incident has raised concerns not just because of its tragic nature but also due to the safety issues it presents. Schipol Airport is known for being one of Europe’s safest and most efficient airports, making this occurrence particularly startling. An airport employee mentioned that they saw a person jump into the engine after the crew had finished giving safety instructions. The subsequent investigation came to the same conclusion, declaring the incident a suicide. According to Dutch military police, “The investigation has revealed that he intentionally climbed into the engine, indicating this is a case of suicide.”
The Dutch Safety Board sent three investigators to the scene to independently examine the incident. They worked with The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee to identify any potential lapses in safety protocols that may have led to this tragedy.
Occurrences involving individuals getting trapped in aircraft engines are infrequent but not unheard of. Similar incidents have happened in other parts of the globe, typically resulting in thorough investigations and modifications in safety procedures. Last year, a 27-year-old employee at San Antonio International Airport, Texas was sucked into a Delta Airlines jet engine in an event that was later determined to be a suicide.