A Texas airport worker was killed after being sucked into a jet engine at San Antonio International Airport on Friday night, according to a report.
Emergency crews were called to the tarmac just before 10:30 p.m. after reports that a ground worker had been “ingested” into the engine of a plane that had just landed.
The Delta flight had just arrived from Los Angeles and had only one engine running at the time of the incident.
“Delta Flight 1111 was taxying to the gate, with one engine on at that time, and a worker was ingested into that engine at 10:25 p.m,” the NTSB said in a statement to KENS5.
An investigation into the worker’s death is ongoing.
“The NTSB has been in contact with Delta. They are in the information gathering process at this point,” the Transportation Board added.
The unidentified worker was employed by Unifi Aviation, a company that contracts workers to airlines like Delta that provides ground handling operations.
“Unifi Aviation is deeply saddened by the loss of our employee at San Antonio International Airport during a tragic incident in the late hours of Friday, June 23, 2023,” the service company said on Saturday, according to the outlet.
“Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased, and we remain focused on supporting our employees on the ground and ensuring they are being taken care of during this time.”
The company stated that its initial investigation could not link the death to any of the operational safety procedures the company has in place.
“We are heartbroken and grieving the loss of an aviation family member’s life in San Antonio,” Delta Airlines said in a statement obtained by KENS5. Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.”
On New Year’s Eve, Alabama airport worker Courtney Edwards was fatally sucked into the engine of an American Airlines regional carrier flight at Montgomery Regional Airport.
Piedmont Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, was fined $15,625 after an investigation found it was responsible for a safety breach that resulted in the death of the mother of three.
