Man who died at Amsterdam airport was airline worker who 'deliberately climbed into plane's jet engine'
31 May 2024, 08:42
A man who climbed into a plane’s jet engine at Amsterdam airport was an airline employee who allegedly deliberately climbed into the plane’s engine, it has emerged.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
The man died immediately after getting into the KLM jet’s engine at Schiphol airport as the plane prepared for takeoff.
Passengers and crew have told local news outlet De Telegraaf that a ‘hellish noise’ came from the engine which began billowing smoke.
Police have now said that the man ‘intentionally climbed into the engine, indicating this is a case of suicide.’
The man has been ‘identified as an employee of a company operating at the airport,’ police added.
An insider told Dutch newspaper AD that the incident was 'very intense', adding: 'After the plane was pushed back to take off, someone walked into the engine.'
Military police said in a statement: “The aircraft had just completed the pushback procedure and was about to taxi to the runway.”
Witnesses have described hearing a 'hellish noise' after the victim was sucked into the engine.
Investigators initially said they were unable to determine the sex of the victim and if the horror death was an accident or suicide after the body was shredded by the turbines.
Emergency services rushed to the plane at around 3pm on Wednesday when the aircraft was about to take off. The engine was running and passengers and crew were already aboard the Embraer 190 aircraft when the incident occurred.
KLM flight 1341 was on its way from Amsterdam to Denmark before the man was killed.
Passengers and crew have described the horror as thick black smoke trailed from the engine after the victim was killed by the jet engine.
Following the horror death, emergency services carried out a "massive" response as fire engines and ambulances rushed to the scene.
Dutch flags were flying at half-mast at the airport.
An airport employee told De Telegraaf that the incident happened during a "pushback" - a procedure when a vehicle pushes the plane backwards out of its parking position before it takes off.
An employee said the crew had also just completed safety instructions when the accident took place. Many passengers and crew saw the tragedy take place, hearing a "hellish noise".
Passengers and crew were later able to exit the aircraft and were being taken care of by authorities.
Schiphol Airport said in a statement: "A horrific incident occurred today where a person became trapped in the engine of an aircraft.
"Our thoughts are with the loved ones and we care for the passengers and colleagues who witnessed this incident.
"The Royal Military Police are currently conducting an investigation."
Pilots union the VNV said: "Our first concern and thoughts go out to those involved and their relatives.
"We offer our cooperation and expertise in the investigation into the exact cause."
