A ground crew member at the San Antonio International Airport died on Friday night after he stepped in front of a plane engine as it was taxiing to the gate, authorities said.
The worker, identified as David Renner, 27, was employed by Unifi Aviation, a company that provides ground handling operations for Delta Air Lines and other airlines. He was ingested into the one engine that was still running on the plane, a Delta Air Lines jet that had just arrived from Los Angeles at about 10.25 p.m., according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the cause of death as suicide due to blunt and sharp force injuries on Monday. The N.T.S.B. canceled its investigation into the incident after the medical examiner’s findings.
“There were no operational safety issues with either the airplane or the airport,” the N.T.S.B. said in a statement.
The airport said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened by this incident and are working with authorities as they begin their investigation.”
“We will share more information as details become available,” the statement said.
Delta Air Lines said in a statement that it was “heartbroken” over the loss of a member of its “aviation family.”
“Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time,” the statement said.
Unifi Aviation also expressed its condolences and said that its initial investigation had shown that the worker’s death was “unrelated to Unifi’s operational processes, safety procedures, and policies.”
“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,” Unifi’s statement added.
Counselors have been made available to airport employees following the death, according to NBC News.
The incident shocked and saddened many people who work or travel at the airport, which is the sixth-busiest in Texas and serves more than 10 million passengers a year.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
Relevant articles:
– Death of Texas airport worker who was ‘ingested’ in airplane engine is ruled a suicide, NBC News, June 26, 2023
– Texas airport worker sucked into jet engine took his own life, authorities say, The Guardian, June 26, 2023
– Texas airport worker ‘ingested’ by plane engine, Boston Herald, June 26, 2023
– Airport worker ‘ingested’ into plane engine in Texas died by suicide, medical examiner’s office says, KWWL News, June 26, 2023