Airline Passengers Mortified After ‘Chilling Screams’ Echo Through Cabin Mid-Takeoff

Passengers aboard an Air Canada flight were jolted by chilling screams coming from beneath the cabin as the jet was taxiing for takeoff, after a ground crew member was accidentally trapped in the cargo hold.

The frightening incident happened Dec. 13 on Air Canada Flight 1502, which was preparing to depart Toronto Pearson International Airport for Moncton, New Brunswick, according to CBC. The Airbus aircraft was carrying 184 passengers when the cargo doors “inadvertently closed” with a worker still inside.

As the plane began rolling toward the runway, loud banging and desperate cries erupted from the rear of the cabin, sending flight attendants rushing down the aisle.

“Some of the people that were sitting towards the back of the plane heard the person screaming and banging, trying to get their attention,” passenger Gabrielle Caron told CBC.

Air Canada Rouge passengers alert crew after a baggage handler gets stuck in the cargo hold at Toronto Pearson Airport, local media reports.

The incident happened on December 13, 2025, involving Air Canada Rouge flight AC1502, which was scheduled to operate from Toronto to… pic.twitter.com/ATxx5ZTawb

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“We could see the crew gathering around the plane, so we knew something was happening,” she added. “Then, the pilot tells us that there is someone from the crew in the luggage hold.”

The aircraft stopped before reaching the runway. Moments later, the trapped ground crew member was freed from the cargo hold and brought into the cabin, where he assured shaken passengers that he was unharmed, Caron said.

Air Canada confirmed to CBC that no injuries were reported.

Caron said the worker had been helping load items into the plane and was likely overlooked before the doors were closed.

The jet returned to the terminal, and passengers were asked to get off while the crew completed paperwork. After several delays, the flight was canceled, CBC reported.

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