Workplace accidents in airline work can have tragic consequences.
Ground Worker at San Antonio International Airport Dies Ingested into Engine
An employee of Unifi Aviation contracted by Delta Air Lines was killed Friday evening after being ingested into a Delta Airbus A319 engine as it was taxing to the gate, according to a KENS5 news report.
David Renner, 27, as identified by the Bexar County Medical Examiner, died due to blunt and sharp force injuries, and his manner of death was ruled as suicide. Unify Aviation released in a statement that the incident was unrelated to Unifi’s operational processes, safety procedures, and policies but that they will not be sharing any additional information out of respect for the deceased.
Did You Know?
80% of all aircraft accidents can be attributed to human error, with pilot error accounting for 53% of all accidents.
Common Airline Injuries in the United States
Airline work can be tough and dangerous work on the ground and in the air, and airline employees are often exposed to conditions not faced by most workers in the United States.
Flight Attendants
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that of the 4,980 cases of non-fatal injury for flight attendants in 2019 that resulted in time off from work, overexertion and bodily reaction accounted for 35.9%, and transportation incidents resulted in 21.9% of all non-fatal injuries. Other common ways flight attendants are hurt include:
- Contact with sharp objects
- Fall, slip, and trip accidents
- Exposure
- Violence from person or animals
The most common injuries flight attendants face are MSDs or Musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive motion and lifting passenger bags, and even pushing the food cart back and forth across the aisles.
Ground Crew
Ramp agents and ground crew have a high-stress and dangerous job, especially when they are on the tarmac. Common injuries faced by ground crew include:
- MSDs – from lifting baggage, cleaning the cabin, and assisting disabled passengers,
- Slip and Fall Accidents – from ramp errors and obstacles,
- and Hearing Loss – from noise exposure.
The ground crew is required to wear the proper safety gear to protect them, and there are strict procedures in place for these workers, but it isn’t foolproof, and accidents still happen.
Gate Agents
The job of the gate agent can be hectic and highly stressful. They are often the first contact angry or disgruntled customers have. As a result, one of the most common injuries gate agents face (aside from work-related illnesses) is job-induced stress. This kind of consistent psychological stress can have catastrophic effects on the body, including:
- Hypertension,
- Stroke,
- and Diabetes.
Airlines need to be careful to properly equip gate agents with the tools they need to manage stress and deal with angry customers in order to protect them from unnecessary harm.
Worker’s Compensation Attorneys Serving San Antonio
Air travel has been particularly hectic in San Antonio this summer, and airline workers are put under additional stress as a result. If you were injured on the job as an airline employee, contact the Worker’s Comp team of attorneys at Carabin Shaw. We have thirty years of experience serving injured employees across Texas and the resources needed to represent your wrongful death or personal injury claim if needed. Contact Carabin Shaw today at 800-862-1260 for a free case evaluation, or fill out this form. We look forward to serving you.