San Francisco, January 22 - A tragic workplace accident at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) claimed the life of a 28-year-old ramp worker on Sunday evening, January 18, 2026. The incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. on a vehicle service road between Terminal 3 and the International Terminal Boarding Area G. According to airport officials, the employee, identified by the San Mateo County Coroner's Office as John Brandon Picazo Lacayanga of San Francisco, was operating equipment to tow a cargo pallet when he was found deceased beneath the pallet. First responders from the San Francisco Fire Department arrived at the scene to discover the solo-vehicle accident, with no other vehicles involved.
Lacayanga was employed by the Dubai National Air Travel Agency (dnata), a global provider of aircraft ground handling, cargo services, and related airport operations. Officials described the event as a devastating on-the-job fatality, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promptly arrived to investigate alongside airport authorities. The exact circumstances leading to the accident remain under review as part of a thorough inquiry into workplace safety protocols at the busy international hub.
San Francisco International Airport serves as one of the nation's busiest gateways, handling millions of passengers and extensive cargo operations annually. Ground handling roles, including towing cargo pallets and other equipment, are essential to maintaining efficient aircraft turnaround times. Incidents like this highlight the inherent risks faced by ramp workers in high-pressure environments involving heavy machinery and tight operational schedules.
Airport officials expressed profound sorrow over the loss, emphasizing their commitment to supporting the employee's family and cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. Authorities continue to examine all factors to prevent similar tragedies in the future, underscoring the critical importance of safety measures for aviation ground crews at SFO and across the industry.