Abby Lee Miller Reports Damage to Motorized Wheelchair

The reality star says her device arrived in pieces following a recent international flight into Texas.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Air Travel

Flat gouache-painted illustration of a solitary motorized mobility scooter on an empty, gray airport tarmac, evoking travel accessibility challenges. — Federal regulations now mandate airline staff training following a surge of nearly 10,000 mishandled mobility devices reported by U.S. carriers in 2025. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Abby Lee Miller, 61, claims her motorized wheelchair was significantly damaged during a flight from Mexico to Dallas. The incident occurred after airport staff allegedly disassembled the device battery despite being instructed not to do so.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing challenges for passengers with disabilities, as U.S. airlines reported 9,910 instances of mishandled mobility devices in 2025. Federal regulations implemented in June 2026 now mandate that airlines provide hands-on training to staff regarding the proper handling of such equipment.

In 2025, the 10 largest U.S. airlines transported 907,259 mobility devices, resulting in a mishandling rate of 1.09%. This follows a 2024 Department of Transportation enforcement action where an airline was fined $50 million for disability law violations.

The players

Abby Lee Miller

She is a 61-year-old television personality known for her role in dance competition reality programming.

Global Repair Group

This organization specializes in the maintenance and emergency replacement of medical mobility equipment.

The details

Airport employees used a mechanized lift to move the wheelchair between the aircraft and the tarmac before the damage occurred. Global Repair Group reached out to Miller the day following the flight to offer a replacement unit.

2019: Miller allegedly fell during a separate wheelchair transfer.
2019-2023: Period of widespread airline disability law violations.
2021: Miller filed a lawsuit against American Airlines and Pittsburgh International Airport.
2024: The Department of Transportation issued a $50 million fine for disability violations.
2025: U.S. airlines transported over 900,000 mobility devices.

Travel Outlook

This incident aligns with a period of increased regulatory scrutiny surrounding air travel accessibility. It demonstrates that despite the June 2026 federal regulations on mobility device handling, passengers continue to face significant logistical hurdles when traveling with medical equipment.

Travelers who rely on motorized wheelchairs should ensure all battery handling instructions are clearly marked and communicated to ground staff before boarding. Travelers should also research carrier-specific assistance policies, as recent enforcement actions have increased airline accountability for equipment damage.

The takeaway

Passengers with disabilities are encouraged to document the condition of their equipment before and after every flight to ensure proper claims processing. Consistent oversight by regulatory bodies is expected to remain a priority as airlines adjust to the new mandate for specialized staff training.