SFO cargo-handling worker John Lacayanga, 28, dies in Sunday evening accident near Terminal 3 roadway
Incident occurred on a service road between Terminal 3 and Boarding Area G
A 28-year-old San Francisco resident, John Lacayanga, died Sunday evening, January 18, 2026, while working at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Authorities are investigating the death as an accident.
Emergency crews were called at about 7 p.m. to a vehicle service road between Terminal 3 and the International Terminal’s Boarding Area G after a report of a solo-vehicle incident. Responders found Lacayanga underneath a cargo pallet he was believed to be towing. Airport officials said no other vehicles were involved.
Employer, investigators and next procedural steps
Lacayanga was employed by Dubai National Air Travel Agency, commonly known as dnata, which provides airport services including ground handling and cargo operations. The company said it is working with authorities to understand the circumstances of the incident and is providing support to Lacayanga’s family.
Representatives from California’s workplace safety agency were on scene and conducted interviews with the employer as part of an initial fact-gathering process typical of serious workplace incidents. Separately, sheriff’s deputies responded to the initial call and the case was routed to the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office, which identified Lacayanga on Monday, January 19, 2026.
The incident was described by officials as a single-vehicle accident, with no other vehicles reported as involved.
What is known—and what remains unclear
Public information released so far establishes the location, approximate time, and that Lacayanga was found under a cargo pallet. Key operational details have not been publicly specified, including the exact equipment being used, the weight of the pallet, whether the pallet was secured, the towing method, and whether any mechanical failure or procedural deviation occurred.
Such questions are central to workplace-safety reviews because cargo and ground-support operations often involve heavy loads and tight maneuvering spaces on service roads. The outcome of the investigation will likely turn on a reconstruction of the immediate events, equipment condition, and adherence to established safety procedures for towing and staging cargo on the airfield’s service routes.
Timeline
Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026 (about 7 p.m.): Firefighters respond to a report of a solo-vehicle incident on a service road between Terminal 3 and Boarding Area G; Lacayanga is found under a cargo pallet.
Monday, Jan. 19, 2026: The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office identifies the deceased worker as John Lacayanga, 28.
Operational impact
SFO has not reported any impact to passenger operations linked to the incident. Investigators’ findings, if released, may inform future safety measures for cargo-handling activities on airport service roads, where worker exposure to heavy equipment and moving loads is highest.