Tragedy struck Friday at San Antonio International Airport after an airline worker was sucked into the jet engine of a Delta aircraft.
The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on June 23 after Delta Flight 1111 arrived at the airport from Los Angeles. Shortly after landing, the unnamed worker was “ingested” into an engine while the plane was taxiing, the National Transportation Safety Board told WOAI.
The airport released a statement saying, “An accident occurred on the ground at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) tonight that resulted in the fatality of an airline ground crew member. We are deeply saddened by this incident and are working with authorities as they begin their investigation. We will share more information as details become available.”
The individual’s identity has not yet been revealed. However, news outlets confirmed the worker was employed by Unifi Aviation, North America’s largest ground handling and aviation service. Following the incident, the aviation service released a statement to San Antonio news affiliate KENS. In the statement, the company shares that the “incident was unrelated to Unifi’s operational processes, safety procedures, and policies.”
Troubles On The Runway
This isn’t the first time an airline worker has been killed after being ingested by a jet engine. In December 2022, Courtney Edwards, 34, was killed while working as a ground agent at Alabama’s Montgomery Regional Airport. According to The Dallas Morning News, Edwards was sucked into the jet engine when she walked too close.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported that extreme force pulled Edwards towards the engine opening and ingested her. American Airlines, which owned the subsidiary plane that murdered Edwards, was fined the maximum penalty of $15,625 by OSHA for a “serious breach of safety,” according to a press release from the Communications Workers of America.
“OSHA also found that the lack of effective training, clear and unambiguous communication on the ramp, and clear instructions from supervisors as to when it is safe to approach an aircraft were deficiencies that contributed to Courtney Edwards’ preventable death,” the release said.
The death at San Antonio International Airport is still under investigation. The airport, as well as Delta Airlines, said they will release more information once it becomes available.
“We are heartbroken and grieving the loss of an aviation family member’s life in San Antonio,” Delta said in an email to McClatchy News. “Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.”
