MESA Jet blows over cart, injuring 3 at O'Hare

By Josh Noel
Tribune staff reporter
Published October 20, 2006


Two passengers and an airline baggage handler were injured Wednesday morning at O'Hare International Airport when a luggage cart was blasted into them by the jet engine of a plane passing by, authorities said.

The accident involving two United Airlines-affiliated planes occurred about 8:20 a.m. at gate F1 outside Terminal 2, said Wendy Abrams, spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Aviation.

The baggage handler, a contract worker for United, was taken in serious condition to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

The passengers had minor injuries. One of them refused treatment, and the other was taken to Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago.

The incident happened as passengers were leaving a SkyWest Airlines jet via a stairway to the ground, Abrams said. Jet blast from a Mesa Airlines plane that was taxiing to a gate knocked over a Sky West baggage cart, she said.

Both planes are 50-seat regional jets, United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said. The airlines contract with United, but they are independently owned, she said.

United began investigating soon after the accident, McCarthy said, but she did not know whether it was the result of the jet or the baggage cart being where it shouldn't have been.

"It's too soon to say exactly what kinds of things we need to do to prevent this from happening again," she said. "We will be looking at all our procedures."

Abrams said the area of the accident is leased by United and safety policies and procedures were left up to the airline.

Another example of how Mesa blows!

My thoughts exactly Cyrcadian.

Yeah . . .BLOWS people over. And the thing is, this unfortunate incident reflects not only on MESA but on United, since MESA's planes were painted with United's colors.

United would do themself a favor by cancelling their contract with MESA, or at the very least assigning more flights to Republic, SKYW, Go Jet, or TransStates. At least they are safer.

No more flying to SCABJETS

I've heard from numerous people that united is looking to shrink Mesa out of ord and only have them in DC

You guys are funny...


Where were the ramp marshallers? Maybe a ramper leaves a bag cart where it shouldn't be, but since a MESA aircraft caused the jet blast its suddenly a MESA sucks/blows issue.

Funny how you when Comair takes off on the wrong runway killing 49 people it's somehow the tower controllers fault or its blamed on a taxi diagram, but I suppose I'd be politically incorrect to point that one out.

You guys need a new topic.

how about the mesa runway incursions that almost killed alot more than 50 ppl???

For this one I actually blame United. Have you seen the facilities that United gives it's regionals at ORD? It's a disgrace. People walking across the ramp in the rain and snow, only to slip on the way up the RJ's stairs. No passenger should EVER walk on the ramp to get to their plane. The ramp isn't a safe place.

Now compare that to the way AA treats their regional in ORD.

Thats funny....... I like it.

what????? Skyw, GO-Jets, Republic etc. Where are the stats, perhaps you could enlighten us as to where you get your info.

BTW. there are too many newbie FO's on the regional side, who think they have it all figured out. IE MESA is the root of all our problems. This industry is far too complex for such an irrational approach. Anyone with some business basics and or education knows this. I'll try to stick to the Major forum appears more professional.

I can't always reply I have a life. And no I'm not defending MESA just saying think outside your box.