The flight was in its initial ascent out of Seattle airport when banging was heard coming from the underside of the aircraft and the pilot subsequently terminated the climb at 5000 feet. He declared an emergency for priority landing and returned to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport only 14 minutes after departure and the cargo hold was immediately checked for the source of the racket.
An employee of Alaska contractor Menzies Aviation was found inside the front cargo hold, which is pressurised and temperature controlled, having fallen asleep in the process of loading the hold for take-off. He was initially checked by medics at the airport and found to be unhurt, before being sent to hospital as a precaution and passing a subsequent drug test. Alaska Airlines insists that all ramp employees undergo full criminal background checks and drug checks prior to employment and are subject to random drug tests throughout their service with the carrier. Menzies, however, is yet to comment on the matter…
