In Texas, an airport employee was killed after being pulled into the engine of a passenger airliner.
According to authorities, the worker was “ingested” into the engine of a Delta jet that was taxiing towards its gate with one engine turned on.
According to the workers’ employers, an early inquiry revealed that the occurrence was unconnected to safety standards, although it is unclear how it occurred.
A federal agency is also conducting an inquiry.
The National Transportation Safety Board stated that it had contacted Delta Air Lines and was “in the process of gathering information at this point.”
The jet, an Airbus A319, arrived at San Antonio from Los Angeles International Airport on Friday night.
The employee of Unifi Aviation, with whom Delta Air Lines contracts for ground crew operations, has yet to be identified.
“From our initial investigation, this incident was unrelated to Unifi’s operational processes, safety procedures and policies,” the company said.
A Delta spokesperson said the airline was “heartbroken” to grieve the loss of an “aviation family member’s life”.
“Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”
The airline also informed Kens 5 that it was cooperating with police “as they begin their investigation.”
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined Piedmont $15,625 (£12,285) on Wednesday for the death of a ground crew member six months earlier in a similar event in Alabama.
“Proper training and enforcement of safety procedures could have prevented this tragedy,” according to OSHA.
Source: BBC.com
