Charisa Bossinakis
American Airlines has been fined after an airport worker was sucked into the plane’s engine and died.
New York Post reported that the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA) issued a $15,625 (AUD $$22,739) fine against Piedmont Airlines, the regional subsidiary of American Airlines, after the death of Courtney Edwards.
The mother-of-three died on December 31 after she was sucked into the aircraft’s engine in southwest Montgomery, Alabama.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation confirmed that Edwards, 34, was ‘ingested into the engine’ while ‘on the ramp at Montgomery Regional Airport where American Airlines Flight 3408, an Embraer E175, was parked'.
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Employees were told not to approach the plane when the engine was being shut off.
As the pilot landed the plane in Montgomery, he was alerted that the front cargo was being opened just as he started to shut down the right engine.
Surveillance shows the mother walking toward the plane’s rear while holding an orange safety cone, according to the NTSB report.
In the video, Edwards steps out of frame before the tragedy occurs.
According to the New York Post, the co-pilot noted that the ’airplane shook violently followed by the immediate automatic shutdown'.
The OSHA determined the airline was not creating ‘a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees that were exposed to ingestion and jet blast hazards', according to the Communication Workers of America (CWA).
“Despite the small penalty, it is likely Piedmont will contest the decision, and CWA will continue to fight for Courtney Edwards, her family, and the safety of all airline workers, who should never fear for their lives on the job,” a memo to union members read, as per the Dallas Morning News.
In the wake of her death, a GoFundMe was launched for Edwards’ three children by Donielle Prophete, the President of the CWA Local 3645.
“Courtney was a Ground Handling agent for Piedmont Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, a loving mother of 3 kids and a wonderful daughter to her beloved mother, Natalie English of Montgomery, Alabama. Please know that this tragedy has and will affect her mother, family, friends and kids for years to come,” she wrote.
Prophete added that all the proceeds would go towards ‘funeral expenses, day-to-day expenses and any other expenses needed to care for the children’.
So far, it’s raised over $120,462 (AUD $175,268).