An investigation has been launched after a loader working for IndiGo was found in the cargo compartment of an aircraft on arrival in Abu Dhabi. Reports suggest the worker fell asleep after loading up the baggage for the flight and did not wake up until the aircraft was taking off from Mumbai. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating.

An unexpected trip

Baggage loaders have a tough job, often working unsociable hours on long shifts. The job in itself is a physically demanding role, so it’s no surprise that sometimes energy levels can sag. However, taking a nap in amongst the baggage in the cargo hold of a ready-to-depart aircraft is not recommended, as one loader for IndiGo found out this week.

As broken by Indian aviation expert Tarun Shukla earlier today, an unnamed loader on the IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi had failed to get out of the cargo hold before the plane took off. As the A320neo was being unloaded in Abu Dhabi, the young worker was discovered, having been in the cargo hold the entire trip.

The worker was unharmed and was allowed to fly back to India on the same aircraft, on its return flight. In a statement to the Indian Express, director-general of DGCA Arum Kumar commented,

“On Sunday, an IndiGo A320 aircraft was scheduled to operate as flight 6E-1835 (Mumbai to Abu Dhabi). Post loading of baggage in aircraft, one of the loader engaged on the aircraft relaxed in baggage compartment 1 and fell asleep behind the baggage. The cargo door was closed after the hold staff marked the head count.

“The loader woke up as the aircraft took off from Mumbai airport. This was detected at Abu Dhabi and medical examination of the loader was conducted by Abu Dhabi authorities. The examination revealed that his physical condition was stable and normal. After getting the requisite clearances from local authorities at Abu Dhabi, he was sent back as a passenger to Mumbai on the return flight.’’

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How could this happen?

Falling asleep is no crime in itself, but common sense would suggest you don’t do it in the hold of an aircraft that is preparing to depart. However, regardless of the worker’s actions, more surveillance at the airport in Mumbai should have prevented the situation from occurring.

Headcounts are common practice to ensure everyone is where they should be at the completion of a turnaround. Staff who clean passenger cabins, restock galleys and undertake other on-aircraft tasks all need to be accounted for, so the absence of the loader should have been noticed before the aircraft took off.

The DGCA says that everyone involved has been relieved of duties while the investigation is carried out. Although the cargo hold is pressurized, it is not kept as warm as the passenger cabin, so it would have been a chilly three-hour flight for the worker. More concerning is the security risk presented by a person being allowed to fly across borders without any checks. No doubt someone will be in big trouble for this incident.