A Texas airport employee was killed in a Delta plane engine suction accident

A tragic incident occurred in Texas, where an airport employee lost their life after being drawn into the engine of a passenger plane. The incident took place as a Delta plane was taxiing towards its gate with one of its engines running. The worker, employed by Unifi Aviation, a company contracted by Delta Air Lines for ground crew operations, was unexpectedly “ingested” into the engine. While the investigation is still ongoing, the initial findings suggest that the incident was not the result of any safety procedures or processes implemented by Unifi Aviation.

In response to the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation and has been in contact with Delta Air Lines to gather information. The NTSB aims to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. Delta Air Lines expressed their deep sadness over the loss of their “aviation family member’s life” and extended their heartfelt condolences and support to the family, friends, and loved ones affected by the tragedy. The airline is cooperating with the authorities during the investigation.

It is worth noting that just six months prior, another ground crew worker lost their life in a similar incident involving a regional airline called Piedmont in Alabama. As a result, Piedmont was fined $15,625 (£12,285) by the “Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).” OSHA emphasised the importance of proper training and enforcement of safety procedures, stating that such measures could have potentially prevented this tragic event.

The loss of life in both incidents underscores the critical need for continuous attention to safety measures within the aviation industry. These incidents serve as a sombre reminder of the risks associated with ground crew operations and highlight the importance of rigorous safety training, adherence to protocols, and ongoing evaluation of safety procedures. As investigations progress, it is hoped that valuable insights will be gained to prevent similar incidents in the future and to ensure the well-being of all aviation personnel.