Builder, 35, revealed as trespasser sucked into jet engine at Milan airport ‘seconds after dumping car full of evidence’

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A MAN who was sucked into a plane engine after running onto an airport runway in Milan has been identified.

Builder Andrea Russo, 35, from Calcinate, Italy was killed in the tragic incident.

Andrea Russo, 35, from Calcinate, Italy was killed in the tragic incident

bergamonews.itOne person was reportedly sucked into a plane engine and died at Milano Bergamo airport[/caption]

@AirNavRadar / XFootage from the runway appears to show people surrounding a Volotea aircraft around the time of the accident[/caption]

Passengers look out into the tarmac as first responders surround the aircraft

Do you have information on the accident at Milano Bergamo Airport? Contact [email protected]

Operations at Orio al Serio Airport – known as Milano Bergamo – came to a halt at 10.20am local time on Tuesday after a “fatal accident” involving a Volotea plane on the tarmac.

Mr Russo was not a passenger on the plane and had no association with the airline, according to Volotea.

He is believed to have broken into the airport after driving the wrong way down a road, abandoning his car and then running towards the terminal.

Public Prosecutor Maurizio Romanelli said: “We are investigating on any possible relationships with the airport or the world of aeroplanes.

“In the car with which he arrived at the airport, full of all kinds of material, we have not found anything that could provide any kind of explanation.”

Once inside the ground-floor arrivals area, he is said to have opened a security door that leads directly to the aircraft parking area.

Witnesses said he was chased by police as he sprinted across the runway, according to La voce del Patriota, but they were unable to stop him.

He ran towards an Airbus A319 Volotea aircraft bound for Asturias, Spain.

Airport sources told local media the man was pulled into the aircraft engine just as the plane was preparing to depart.

Flight V73511 was reportedly completing the “pushback” move to exit the parking area – the phase before taxiing and take-off.

The Airbus A319 can be equipped with two main types of engine – the CFM56-5B and the IAE V2500.

Each engine’s rotors can spin at nearly 15,000 rotations per minute.

Airport operator SACBO confirmed a “problem that occurred on the taxiway”.

Airline Volotea said: “We’re investigating reports of an incident involving our flight V73511 BGY-OVD, which occurred on the ground after boarding was completed and ready for departure.

“We’re aware that one individual has sustained serious injuries involving the aircraft engine.”

All flight operations at Orio al Serio – one of Italy’s busiest airports – were suspended until midday – with flights cancelled, delayed and diverted.

Ryanair flights departing for Crotone, Katowice, Prague, Zadar, Tirana, Kos, Malta, Naples, Porto, Alghero, Dusseldorf were among the many cancellations, reports Milano Today.

Full statement from Volotea

“Volotea regrets to confirm that one of its aircraft, an Airbus A319, flight
number V7-3511 from Milan-Bergamo (BGY) to Asturias (OVD), was involved in an incident at Milan-Bergamo Airport today at 10:35h local time (8:35h UTC).

“A total of 154 passengers were onboard, along with 6 Volotea employees: 2 pilots and 4 cabin crew.

“Initial findings indicate that, following the incident involving one of the aircraft’s engines, one person who was not onboard the flight and has no affiliation with the company sustained serious injuries.

“Volotea is doing everything possible to support the affected passengers at this difficult time, while working in close coordination with the Italian authorities.

“Passengers will be rebooked on anothe flight that will depart from Milan-Bergamo at 15:55h local time and will land at Asturias Airport at
18:20h local time.

“The company is also providing psychological support to both passengers and crew members involved.

“The airline has established a toll-free number for family and friends of those who may have been onboard the aircraft.

“Italy: (+39) 06 94803497. Spain: (+34) 900 670 730”

Milano Bergamo is ranked as Italy’s third busiest airport, having handled as many as 17.4 million passengers last year.

A significant portion of its traffic is driven by budget airline Ryanair.

Together with Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa, it is a part of the Milan airport system, which is the biggest in Italy in terms of passenger volume.

It comes after several British passengers reportedly suffered broken bones after a chaotic evacuation from a plane triggered by a false fire alarm at Palma Airport.

The incident unfolded just after midnight on Saturday, when an alarm sounded on the runway, sparking panic among passengers aboard a delayed Ryanair flight.

Screams rang out as people scrambled to escape, with many seen climbing out onto the plane’s wing before jumping down to the tarmac.

A total of 18 people were injured, including two UK nationals said to have suffered fractures, despite Ryanair initially claiming only “very minor injuries” such as ankle sprains.

Footage from the scene showed emergency vehicles, including firefighters and police, rushing to assist amid the confusion.

GettyMajor delays and disruptions are affecting the airport following the accident[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]

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