Bees Delay North Carolina Flight at Charlotte Airport

Swarm on plane's turbine causes hour-long delay before takeoff

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:52pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A swarm of bees on the turbine of an American Airlines plane at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina caused the flight to San Francisco to be delayed by about an hour as airline staff and beekeepers worked to safely remove the insects.

Why it matters

Bee swarms can pose a serious risk to aircraft and passenger safety, requiring quick action by airport staff to mitigate the issue. This incident highlights the challenges airports face in dealing with unexpected wildlife disruptions.

The details

Passenger Micah McCollough captured video of the incident, showing beekeepers and airline employees placing the bees into a box for safe transport away from the plane. The American Airlines flight was able to depart for San Francisco around an hour behind schedule once the bees were removed from the turbine.

  • The incident occurred on April 6, 2026 at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The players

Micah McCollough

A passenger aboard the American Airlines flight who captured video of the bee removal.

American Airlines

The airline operating the flight that was delayed due to the bee swarm.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

The airport in North Carolina where the bee incident took place, causing a delay to an outbound flight.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable challenges airports can face when dealing with wildlife, underscoring the need for quick response and coordination between airline staff and local experts to ensure passenger safety.