Airline ground crew member dies after being 'ingested' into airplane engine

The NTSB said in a statement that a worker was "ingested" into the engine of an aircraft while it was at a gate with its parking brake set, the outlet added.

American Airlines flight 3408 — an Embraer E175 — had just arrived from Dallas, Reuters said, adding that the Federal Aviation Administration said the airport was closed after the incident.

The airport on Saturday said the accident occurred around 3 p.m. and that the worker was employed by Piedmont Airlines, an American Airlines Group subsidiary, Insider reported.

Two people briefed on the matter told Reuters the initial investigation indicates the employee was killed in an accident involving one of the airplane's engines that was running, Insider added.

"We are saddened to hear about the tragic loss of a team member of the AA/Piedmont Airlines," Wade A. Davis, the airport's executive director, said in a statement, according to Insider. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time."

Although one commenter said, "There is no reason to approach a running jet engine...period. I, too, worked around jets for 20 years. You have to maintain situational awareness ALWAYS. It's the only thing keeping you from getting hurt or killed," this is still considered a Worker's Compensation case in South Carolina.

The Workers' Compensation Act in South Carolina provides that if an employee suffers injury by accident arising out of and in the course of employment, that individual is entitled to recover medical expenses, temporary total compensation for lost time, and permanent disability benefits if he/she suffered any permanent injury as a result of the work accident. 

It does not matter if the injury is caused by your own hand, so long as you meet the rules and parameters of the worker's compensation law of South Carolina.  Give Winslow Law a call should you need any assistance with an injury that may have occurred at work 843-357-9301.

May God Bless You, Your Business, and this Country, 

Tom Winslow