26-6-2023 (SAN ANTONIO) Tragedy struck at San Antonio International Airport as an airport worker lost his life after being “ingested” into the engine of a Delta plane, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The fatal incident occurred on Friday when Delta Flight 1111, an Airbus A319 arriving from Los Angeles International Airport, was taxiing to the gate on one engine around 10:25 p.m.
The victim, an employee of Unifi, a company contracted by Delta for ground-handling operations, was identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an airport ramp worker. The shocking incident has left the aviation community in mourning, with Delta expressing heartfelt condolences and providing support to the worker’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Unifi, after conducting its preliminary investigation, stated that the incident did not seem to be linked to company operational processes, safety procedures, or policies. However, the victim’s identity has not yet been disclosed by officials.
Sadly, this marks the second occurrence of such an incident within six months. In late 2022, a 34-year-old ground crew worker suffered a similar fate when he was “ingested” into a plane engine at the Montgomery airport in Alabama. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concluded that adherence to safety procedures could have prevented the tragic incident.
Commenting on the December 31, 2022 incident, OSHA Area Director Jose A. Gonzalez in Mobile, Alabama emphasized the importance of proper training and enforcement of safety measures, highlighting that even routine assignments must have robust safety measures in place.
The recent incident at San Antonio International Airport has raised concerns about aviation safety and the need for strict adherence to protocols to prevent such devastating accidents in the future. The NTSB will continue its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic event, with the aim of improving safety standards and preventing similar incidents from occurring again.
