Texas airport worker dies after being sucked into Delta jet engine

An airport employee at San Antonio International Airport died last Friday after being sucked into the engine of a Delta airplane that was taxiing to the gate. 

Delta Flight 1111 had just landed from Los Angeles on Friday and was taxiing to a gate at the San Antonio airport when the 27-year-old ground worker was “ingested” by the engine of the Airbus A319 jet at around 10:25 p.m., authorities said.

“An accident occurred on the ground at San Antonio International Airport (SAT) Friday night that resulted in the fatality of an airline ground crew member,” airport spokesperson Erin Rodriguez said in a statement. 

“We are deeply saddened by this incident and are working with authorities as they begin their investigation. We will share more information as details become available,” he added.

The ground worker was employed by Unifi, a company contracted by Delta to support with ground-handling operations. He was an airport ramp worker. 

Authorities ruled his death as suicide, according to the Bexas County Medical Examiner’s Office. 

"There were no operational safety issues with either the airplane or the airport," a National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson said.

A Delta spokesperson said the airline was “heartbroken” over the death. 

“Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time,” the airline said. 

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, with the help of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 

A similar incident took place in January when a ground worker in Alabama’s Montgomery Regional Airport was sucked into the engine of an airplane. An investigation found that the 34-year-old worker had been warned to stay away from the airplane after it had arrived at the gate.

However, she ignored the warnings and walked beside the plane before she was “pulled off her feet and into the operating engine.”