Crime & Safety

Ground Crewman Trapped in Cargo Hold of LAX-Bound Flight

A flight headed from Seattle to Los Angeles had to turn around shortly after take-off when the pilot heard banging coming from below.

A Los Angeles-bound flight made an emergency return to Seattle today when the pilot heard a banging noise, which turned out to be a member of the ground crew trapped in a cargo hold.

Alaska Airlines flight 448 had been in the air for 14 minutes after taking off from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport when the pilot “reported hearing banging from beneath the aircraft,” according to the airline.

“The captain immediately returned to Seattle, declaring an emergency for priority landing,” according to Alaska Airlines. “... After landing, a ramp agent was found inside the front cargo hold, which is pressurized and temperature controlled.

Find out what's happening in Hermosa Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“The ramp agent appeared OK, and was transported to the hospital as a precaution,” according to the airline.

An investigation was continuing to determine how the worker ended up trapped in the cargo hold.

Find out what's happening in Hermosa Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.