A ground worker tragically died on Friday night after being sucked into the engine of a Delta Air Lines jet that had just landed at San Antonio International Airport. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s office has ruled the death a suicide, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has stated that it will not open an investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regulates airlines and aviation safety, has indicated that it will investigate.
The victim has been identified as David Renner, 27, who was employed by Unifi Aviation, a company that Delta hires for ground services at the San Antonio airport. The incident occurred as the Delta plane, which had flown from Los Angeles, was pulling up to the terminal. The NTSB accident investigator has stated that there were no operational safety issues with either the airplane or the airport.
The medical examiner’s office has listed the cause of death as blunt and sharp-force injuries, but has declined to provide further information. Delta has expressed its condolences and stated that the incident was unrelated to Unifi’s operational processes, safety procedures, and policies.
The tragic incident has raised concerns about the safety of ground workers at airports, who are responsible for a range of tasks, including loading and unloading baggage, refueling planes, and guiding planes to and from gates. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released reports indicating that there were 24 fatalities among ground workers in the aviation industry between 2011 and 2016.
The FAA has stated that it will work with Unifi Aviation and Delta to investigate the incident and ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place to protect ground workers. The agency has also reminded airlines of their responsibility to provide a safe workplace for all employees, including those who work on the ground.