Man Dies After Running onto Milan Airport Runway and Being Pulled into Jet Engine
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On July 8, 2024, a tragic incident took place at Il Caravaggio International Airport near Milan. A man in his mid-thirties entered the airport’s restricted area without authorization and was fatally pulled into the engine of a commercial aircraft preparing for takeoff. The event halted airport operations for nearly two hours as emergency services responded and authorities began an investigation.
The Runway Breach
According to reports from Italian outlet Corriere della Sera and the Metro in the U.K., the man managed to access a secure area of the airport shortly after 10 a.m. local time. Witnesses say he abandoned his car outside the terminal, entered through a door meant for authorized access, and made his way to the ground floor arrivals area. From there, he reached a security door that opened directly to the aircraft parking zone.
It was there that he ran toward a Volotea Airlines Airbus A319, flight number V7-3511, which was preparing to depart for Asturias, Spain. The aircraft had 154 passengers and six crew on board. As the plane’s engines were running, the man approached and was pulled into one of them, resulting in fatal injuries.
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Immediate Response and Flight Impact
SACBO, the company that manages the airport, suspended all flight operations between 10:20 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The airport’s official website noted that law enforcement was investigating the cause of the security breach. Several emergency vehicles were seen at the site, and the aircraft remained parked with personnel surrounding it.
Photos published by Corriere della Sera showed airport staff and emergency responders stationed around the plane on the tarmac. As a safety precaution, other nearby flights were delayed, rerouted, or cancelled. According to Metro and Milano Malpensa Airport News, nine flights were diverted and 19 flights were cancelled.
Volotea’s Official Statement
Volotea Airlines released a statement expressing its regret and confirming the incident involved one of its aircraft. The airline stated that the individual who died was not a member of the flight crew or a passenger and had no connection with the airline.
The company added that it is working closely with Italian authorities to understand what happened. Volotea also said it was providing psychological support for passengers and crew affected by the traumatic event. A toll-free hotline was set up for family and friends of those onboard.
The man’s identity has not been released. As of now, authorities have not confirmed why he entered the restricted area or whether his actions were deliberate. Surveillance footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation.
