An airport worker was seriously injured by an Airbus A320 after being run over while working on the tarmac of Koltsovo Airport in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. The incident took place on Sunday when 21-year-old Rail, the airport worker, was mowed down by the aircraft’s front landing gear as the pilot began taxiing without ensuring the area was clear, according to The Sun.

Rail suffered severe injuries, leading to the amputation of one leg and a fractured other, and remains unconscious in intensive care, fighting for his life. The incident also caused a three-and-a-half-hour delay as the original captain was replaced, and a new crew was assigned to continue the flight to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

#INCIDENT | A Koltsovo Airport (SVX) ground worker has been seriously injured after a Ural Airlines A320 commenced taxi while he still appeared to be completing checks.
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Read more at AviationSource!https://t.co/9QRSlFBlqG#Koltsovo #UralAirlines #AvGeek pic.twitter.com/wuEF902apD

— AviationSource (@AvSourceNews) May 24, 2024

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The captain is currently under investigation for negligence, and the Russian Investigation Committee has filed a criminal case for the violation of safety rules that led to serious harm.

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Ural Airlines issued a statement expressing their regret over the incident and noting that the circumstances surrounding it are being investigated.

The Russian Investigation Committee and a special commission have demanded that Russian airlines improve their communication protocols between pilots and ground technicians to prevent such accidents in the future. This includes a specific review of procedures related to the use of the intercom system, which was not properly turned off before the aircraft started moving.

The incident highlights the importance of safety measures on the tarmac and the need for airlines to prioritize their staff’s safety during operations. The injured airport worker’s condition remains critical, and corrective measures must be implemented to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

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