At Amsterdam Schiphol in The Netherlands, someone ended up in the engine of a KLM Cityhopper Embraer 190 (registered PH-EZL) and has died. The aircraft was starting up the engines for flight KL1341 from Amsterdam to Billund, Danmark.
The Dutch Safety Board is sending three investigators to Schiphol because of the fatal accident. KLM Cityhopper operates smaller aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer, which can carry 72 or 104 passengers.
In response, Schiphol stated that “today there was a horrific incident in which a person ended up in an aircraft engine. Our thoughts are with the relatives, and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is investigating this incident.”
Vanmiddag heeft zich een incident voorgedaan op het platform van Schiphol waarbij een persoon in een draaiende vliegtuigmotor terecht is gekomen en is overleden. De Marechaussee start een onderzoek.
— Koninklijke Marechaussee (@Marechaussee) May 29, 2024
Vandaag is er een afschuwelijk incident geweest waarbij een persoon in een vliegtuigmotor is beland. Onze gedachten gaan uit naar de nabestaanden en we hebben zorg voor de passagiers en collega’s die dit hebben gezien. De Koninklijke Marechaussee voert momenteel onderzoek uit. https://t.co/G7QD0Ihevl
— Schiphol (@Schiphol) May 29, 2024
KLM statement on fatal incident at Schiphol
A fatal incident took place at Schiphol today during which a person ended up in a running aircraft engine. Sadly, this person has died. The flight concerned was KL1341 bound for Billund. We are currently taking care of the passengers and employees who witnessed the incident at Schiphol. The circumstances are currently under investigation. For further information – once available – we refer you to the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee.
Update: 31 May
The person who died in the aircraft engine is an airport employee. The Koninklijke Marechaussee reported on Thursday. The Dutch police service also stated that it was a case of suicide. “The investigation has shown that he deliberately climbed into the engine,” according to the statement.
The spokesperson couldn’t say which airport company the man worked for: “out of respect for the victim and the bereaved, we will not make any further statements.”
