A ground crew member tragically lost their life after being ingested into the engine of Delta Flight 1111 at San Antonio International Airport (SAT). The incident occurred as the flight was taxiing to the gate on one engine. Firefighters and police officers swiftly responded to the scene at around 10:25 p.m. on June 23, 2023. The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the incident.
The San Antonio International Airport expressed their deep sadness over the accident and stated that they are cooperating with the authorities during the investigation. The ground crew member worked for Unifi Aviation, a company contracted by Delta Airlines for ground handling operations. Unifi Aviation released a statement expressing their sorrow and extended their support to the deceased worker's family. They mentioned that their initial investigation indicates the incident was unrelated to their operational processes, safety procedures, and policies.
Authorities will continue their investigation to determine the factors contributing to this tragic incident. The details surrounding the accident remain unclear at this time. The aviation community and the public are mourning the loss of the ground crew member and are reminded of the risks associated with working in the industry. The focus now is on ensuring a thorough investigation to uncover the cause of the incident and prevent similar accidents in the future.