Most people are well aware of how dangerous it can be to get too close to an aircraft, especially around its engines. Jet engines are incredibly powerful, capable of producing enough thrust to launch a plane into the sky—yet that same force can become instantly lethal to anyone who enters their path. Despite strict airport safety protocols and numerous warning signs, tragic accidents still occur. And unfortunately, another such tragedy has taken place—one that has shocked both airport personnel and passengers, and has sparked serious concern throughout the aviation community.
The horrifying incident happened during the morning hours of July 8 at Milan Bergamo Airport in Italy. A 35-year-old man lost his life in a devastating accident when he was pulled into the engine of an aircraft preparing for takeoff. According to early reports, the man somehow made his way into a restricted area of the airport’s runway. What followed was a chain of events that led to his death in a way that has left authorities scrambling for answers and left witnesses deeply shaken.
The tragedy occurred just before 10:35 a.m. local time as a Volotea Airbus A319 was getting ready for departure to Oviedo, Spain. During the aircraft’s “pushback” phase—a maneuver when a plane is moved backward from the gate by a tug in preparation for taxiing—the man was fatally pulled into one of the plane’s turbofan engines. The managing company of Milan Bergamo Airport, Sacbo, confirmed the details in an official statement, noting that the incident occurred on a taxiway and that an active investigation is being conducted by the local police.
Volotea Airlines, the carrier operating the flight, quickly acknowledged the incident in a statement posted to their official X (formerly Twitter) account. “We regret to confirm flight V73511 from BGY-OVD was involved in an incident at Milan-Bergamo Airport at 10:35h. One person not onboard and not affiliated with the company was seriously injured,” the airline said. In a follow-up, they assured the public that all 154 passengers and 6 crew members aboard the aircraft were unharmed and that a replacement flight had been scheduled for later that afternoon.
What makes this incident even more unsettling is that the man involved was neither a passenger on the flight nor an airport employee. Authorities are still trying to determine how he managed to bypass multiple layers of airport security to access an area that is typically restricted to authorized personnel only. Early reports suggest the man may have arrived at the airport in a vehicle, abandoned it near the internal bus area, and then managed to break through a secure door in the arrivals terminal. Surveillance footage and witness accounts indicate that he then ran directly onto the tarmac toward the aircraft during its final preparations for takeoff.
Italian news outlet ANSA reported that investigators are currently considering the possibility that the man may have intended to take his own life. While this theory has not been officially confirmed, it has influenced the direction of the ongoing investigation. The man’s identity has not been publicly released, though local sources indicate he was an Italian national. The incident caused a full suspension of operations at Milan Bergamo Airport until midday, affecting at least 19 flights that were either delayed or diverted to other airports.
Emergency crews, including police, forensic investigators, and specialists from Bergamo’s Scientific Unit, responded to the scene. Their primary tasks were to secure the area, collect evidence, and recover the man’s remains. Firefighters were also involved in the operation, and details about the man’s actions prior to the tragedy began to emerge throughout the day.
The Daily Mail noted that jet engines like those on the Airbus A319 can rotate at speeds close to 15,000 revolutions per minute. With that level of power, even a brief encounter with the engine intake can result in instant fatality. Investigators from Italy’s civil aviation authority are now focusing closely on how the individual could have gained access to such a high-security zone without being stopped.
Authorities have also turned their attention to a red Fiat 500 that was found abandoned in the airport’s internal parking lot. The location of the vehicle—near the area where airport buses usually operate—suggests it may have been driven by the victim just before the incident. Airport surveillance and eyewitness reports indicate that the man took a wrong turn near a roundabout, stopped his vehicle abruptly, opened the door, and started running.
An officer who noticed the unusual behavior began to pursue the man. In a matter of seconds, he had entered the arrivals terminal, forced open a locked security door, and accessed the active runway. That’s when the tragedy unfolded. The whole event happened so quickly that no one had time to intervene before it was too late.
In the aftermath of the incident, Milan Bergamo Airport and Volotea Airlines have both pledged full cooperation with authorities. Investigators are currently reviewing all available video footage, security logs, and witness testimonies to determine what went wrong and what can be done to prevent a similar event in the future.
Psychological support services have been offered to passengers and crew who were present and potentially traumatized by the event. The sight of such a devastating and violent incident is not something easily forgotten, and efforts are being made to ensure emotional support is available to anyone affected.
This tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the importance of maintaining tight airport security and the unpredictable nature of human behavior. As investigators continue to uncover the details, both the aviation industry and the public await answers—and hope that this kind of disaster never happens again.
