American Airlines Launches Investigation After Shocking Video of Wheelchair Plummeting Down Plane’s Jet Bridge Chute

A video posted on social media shows a wheelchair hurtling down an American Airlines plane’s jet bridge chute before crashing onto the Miami International Airport tarmac, prompting internal and federal investigations. 

The video, shared by Miami television station WSVN, shows a baggage handler releasing a passenger’s wheelchair down the chute. The video was originally posted on TikTok by Haeley Dyrdahl, who said the baggage handlers were careless with multiple wheelchairs, which prompted her to begin recording.

“That is not what [I’d] call ‘handling with care' for [someone’s] mobility device,” Dyrdahl posted. 

The video had 2.5 million views as of Wednesday afternoon. American Airlines is investigating the incident, WSVN reported. 

“We recognize how important it is to support the independence of customers with disabilities by ensuring the proper care of mobility devices throughout their journey with us,” the company told the outlet. “This visual is deeply concerning and we are gathering more details so that we can address them with our team."

Commenters were furious, with many pointing out the priciness of wheelchairs and the limitations by insurance companies in covering the costs. Several commenters shared personal experiences about medical equipment being damaged during flights. 

“As a wheelchair user, seeing this will stop me from ever travelling out of fear this will happen,” one person commented. 

Another person added: “This explains why my daughter’s wheelchair was broken when we arrived in Florida for her Make-A-Wish trip.”

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tweeted Monday the employees’ behaviors were “totally unacceptable.” 

“We'll be investigating,” he said. “This is exactly why we are taking action to protect passengers who use wheelchairs. Everyone deserves to travel safely and with dignity.” 

A report released by the U.S. Department of Transportation found that in August alone, airlines mishandled 1,104 wheelchairs and scooters. Of that number, the DOT found that American Airlines and its partners mishandled 278 wheelchairs and scooters.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who uses a wheelchair, called the video “infuriating.” 

“For Americans who rely on wheelchairs to live our lives fully, breaking our wheelchairs is like breaking our legs,” she said. “In 2023, we shouldn’t still be seeing our mobility devices treated like this by airlines.”