Orlando police said the death appears accidental as investigators review what happened inside the airside terminal.
ORLANDO, FL — A Delta Air Lines employee died Thursday night at Orlando International Airport after an aircraft towing vehicle struck a passenger boarding bridge, officials said Friday as police opened a death investigation.
The death drew responses from Delta, airport officials and Orlando police, who said early information showed the incident appeared accidental. The worker’s name, age and job title had not been released by midday Friday. Delta said it paused operations at its Orlando station while investigators worked, leading to one canceled departure. The airline said affected passengers were placed on other flights.
The incident happened around 10:55 p.m. May 7 at the airport, where the plane was parked at a gate, according to information released by federal aviation officials. A tug, an aircraft towing vehicle used on the ramp, hit the passenger boarding bridge, and passengers had to be taken off the aircraft. Delta confirmed that one of its team members died while working at the airport that evening. “The Delta family is heartbroken at the loss of a team member while on the job at Orlando International Airport on the evening of May 7,” the airline said in a statement. Delta said it was focused on supporting the worker’s family and its Orlando team.
Orlando police said the investigation was taking place inside the airside terminal and was having little effect on airport operations. Police did not release additional details, citing respect for those involved and the integrity of the investigation. Officials had not said whether the worker was operating the tug, standing near the jet bridge or performing another task when the crash happened. They also had not released the flight number, the gate, the aircraft type or the number of passengers affected. Witnesses on nearby planes described confusion after the incident, and at least one aircraft reportedly remained boarded for about three hours while the scene was handled.
Orlando International Airport, known by its airport code MCO, is one of Florida’s busiest travel hubs and serves millions of passengers moving through Central Florida each year. The fatality occurred in an airside area, where airline employees, airport staff, contractors, aircraft and ground equipment operate close together. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which oversees the airport, described the worker as part of the airport’s extended community. “The MCO community is deeply saddened about the loss of a team member from one of our airline partners, a member of our extended airport family,” an airport spokesperson said. “We send our condolences to his family and friends.”
Delta said it was working with local authorities as a full investigation began. The Orlando Police Department is leading the death investigation, while federal aviation officials released the preliminary description that a tug struck the passenger boarding bridge. No charges had been announced Friday, and officials had not said whether any workplace safety agency had opened a separate review. Delta said safety is a core value for the airline. The company also said operations at the Orlando station were paused Thursday evening while employees worked with investigators, but the disruption appeared limited to one canceled departure.
The death left passengers and airport workers waiting for more answers Friday. Reports from nearby planes described long delays and limited information in the moments after the incident. Delta apologized to travelers delayed by the pause in operations and said customers affected by the canceled flight were accommodated on other flights. Airport officials said the broader operation continued with minimal disruption while police examined the scene. By Friday afternoon, officials still had not released the worker’s identity, a detailed account of the crash or a timeline for completing the investigation.
The case remained under investigation Friday, May 8, with Orlando police treating the death as accidental based on preliminary information. The next major update is expected to come from police, Delta or airport officials once the worker’s family is notified and investigators complete more of their review.
Author note: Last updated May 8, 2026.