BUENOS AIRES- On October 31, 2024, American Airlines (AA) Flight AA954 en route from Buenos Aires (EZE) to New York (JFK) was forced to make a precautionary landing after an unusual disturbance was reported mid-flight.
American Airlines New York Flight Diverted
Shortly after takeoff from Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE), passengers and crew began to hear unsettling noises coming from the cargo hold while over Cordoba, Argentina.
These unexpected sounds raised immediate concern, prompting the crew to swiftly implement security protocols and return to Ezeiza, Argentina’s primary international gateway.
The flight was operated by 12-year-old Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, registered as N717AN.
The Boeing 777, a widebody aircraft known for long-haul routes, was flying over the Cordoba area within Argentina’s Flight Information Region (FIR CBA) when the noise was first detected.
The sudden auditory disturbances alarmed both passengers and crew, leading the flight crew to consider a potential safety or security threat in the cargo hold. This area is typically inaccessible in-flight and houses only secured cargo or baggage.
Following standard safety protocols, the captain decided to return to Buenos Aires to ensure passenger and crew safety, as well as to facilitate a thorough investigation on the ground.
Upon arrival at Ministro Pistarini International Airport, a team of security and ground personnel boarded the aircraft to inspect the source of the noise. Their investigation revealed that the noises emanated from an individual who had been inadvertently locked inside the cargo hold.
The person, who was later identified as an airport employee, had been mistakenly confined during loading. Realizing the critical nature of their situation, the individual resorted to striking a blunt object against the walls in an attempt to signal for help.
We have reached out to the American Airlines media relations team and waiting for their response. Will update the post with an official statement shortly, so make sure to subscribe by clicking the bell icon.
UPDATE: American Airlines in an X post said that,
Reports of a person in cargo are not accurate. Flight 954 returned to Buenos Aires due to a reported noise in the cargo hold but, after a thorough search, it was determined there was no issue. Our customers will be re-departing later today and we apologize for the inconvenience.”
But our question is what it be if there was no person, could be an animal or some equipment? Only police staff knows who went inside the cargo hold with weapons.
Similar Incident
In 2017, United Airlines (UA) investigated an incident in which a baggage handler was inadvertently trapped inside the cargo hold of a regional jetliner during an hourlong flight from Charlotte (CLT), North Carolina, to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
The man, employed by a third-party baggage handling service, was discovered unharmed after United Airlines Flight 6060 touched down at Dulles on New Year’s Day.
The cargo holds on many commercial jetliners are typically pressurized like the passenger cabin, ensuring there is sufficient oxygen. However, temperature control is not always guaranteed, depending on the airline’s specific aircraft model.
Furthermore, a similar event in 2015 involved an Alaska Airlines (AS) flight departing from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). In that instance, a baggage handler had fallen asleep in the cargo hold and awoke only after the aircraft had taken off. Panicked, the individual banged on the plane’s bulkheads and dialed 911 from their cell phone.
The Alaska Airlines flight returned to Seattle after a brief 14-minute flight, and the baggage handler was found unharmed. Alaska Airlines responded by banning the employee from further work with the airline, citing a severe lapse in safety and oversight.
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