A 23-year-old Virgin Atlantic aircraft engineer has died following a maintenance accident involving a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Heathrow Airport.
The engineer, identified in reports as Georgie Buxton, was carrying out maintenance work inside the aircraft when heavy machinery reportedly collapsed on him. He was rushed to hospital and spent four weeks in intensive care before sadly passing away earlier this month.
Georgie had joined Virgin Atlantic in 2024 after previously working as a technician for Ryanair. Virgin Atlantic described him as a valued and much-loved member of its engineering team, while Heathrow Airport also expressed condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
The Boeing 787-9 involved in the incident has been withdrawn from service while investigations continue. Virgin Atlantic confirmed it is working closely with Boeing and the relevant authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident. An inquest is expected to open at the West London Coroner’s Court, and officials have not yet confirmed the cause of the incident.
