THURSDAY NOV 14, 2024
×
Search AeroXplorer
American Airlines Subsidiary Fined After Worker Sucked into Engine

American Airlines Subsidiary Fined After Worker Sucked into Engine

BY ADAM SCHUPAK 06/18/2023 AGO 0 COMMENTS

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined Piedmont Airlines, one of the primary regional subsidiaries of American Airlines $15,000 after a worker was ingested into one of the engines of an American Eagle (operating for Envoy Air) aircraft.

 

Photo: Jasper Kringen | AeroXplorer

 

Unfortunate Incident on New Year's Eve

 

On December 31, 2022, 34-year-old Piedmont Airlines ramp worker and mother Courtney Edwards was servicing an Envoy Air Embraer ERJ-170 aircraft (operating under the American Eagle brand) at one of the terminal gates of Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM).

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS

 

At around 15:00 local time, Mrs. Edwards was walking close to one of the engines of the idle Envoy Air E170 aircraft when she was swept off her feet and ingested into one of the E170's General Electric CF34-8E engines. Immediately following the ingestion of Mrs. Edwards, the aircraft engine surged in power, and immediately shut down. Following this incident, Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) grounded all flights. 

 

Piedmont Airlines Worker

 

Despite the aircraft involved in the incident being owned and operated by Envoy Air under the American Eagle brand, the ground worker who lost her life was employed under another American Airlines subsidiary - Piedmont Airlines. A situation such as this is very serious in terms of workplace regulations and hazards for workers. 

 

Photo: Andrew Salisbury | AeroXplorer

 

Since Piedmont Airlines employed Mrs. Edwards, the responsibility of training her to work around hazards such as planes and running aircraft engines was the direct responsibility of Piedmont Airlines. During investigations conducted by OSHA into the incident, it was found that Piedmont Airlines had not properly trained and taught its airport workers how to act around idle, but active planes. 

 

An idle, but active aircraft is one that is stationary and has its parking brakes on but has one or more of its engines running, which poses a massive risk to employees working around it.

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS

 

According to the Communication Workers of America Local 3645, a labor union watching over MGM airport workers, Piedmont Airlines "...was not creating "a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees that were exposed to ingestion and jet blast hazards..." 
 

The statement released from the CWA Local 3645 is at odds with a preliminary report released by the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in January. In the NTSB report, it is said that the crew working the Envoy Air E170 aircraft had a safety briefing before the incident. In this briefing, Piedmont Airlines employees were told "...that the airplane should not be approached..." until after the beacon light had been turned off, indicating that both of the E170's engines were shut down.

 

Photo: Brady Noble | AeroXplorer

 

"Safety is always our top priority for our team members...We appreciate the recommendations from OSHA and will ensure that a thorough review is accomplished..." stated Piedmont Airlines spokesperson Crystal Byrd. 

 

The total fine issued to Piedmont Airlines by OSHA is $15,625 - the maximum amount allowed by law for a serious workplace safety violation. Piedmont Airlines has ground operations at over 80 major, mid-size, and small U.S. Airports. 

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS

 

Incidents like this highlight just how important training is in potentially hazardous workplaces. 

 

The job of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is to universally enforce workplace training and safety standards within the United States. OSHA doesn't make workplace safety standards and regulations, rather the job of the administration is solely to investigate potential violations of workplace safety according to the standards set by NIOSH.

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS

 

In the United States, there are numerous laws pertaining to the safety of workers in potentially hazardous workplaces such as in airports. 

Adam Schupak
Hey there! I'm Adam, a passionate avgeek absolutely obsessed with everything that flies. I'm a student glider pilot, but have the ultimate ambition of become a commercial airline pilot. Besides aviation, I'm also passionate about urban design, civil engineering, and trains.

Comments (0)

Add Your Comment

SHARE

TAGS

NEWS Piedmont Airlines American American Airlines Envoy Air OSHA NIOSH MGM

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

Government Intervenes in Tunisair As Flight Chaos Costs Executives their Jobs Tunisia’s national airline, Tunisair, is embroiled in operational disruptions. Following severe flight delays and cancellations earlier this month, the government is now taking decisive measures to address the crisis. NEWS READ MORE »
Vistara Absorbed by Air India: What does the Future of Indian Aviation Hold? Despite infrastructure problems and air regulatory issues, the Indian Aviation market expects to grow from 13.89 to 26.08 billion USD from 2024-2030. Driven by the rising disposable incomes of the growing middle class, the demand will only increase to fly, but the question is will there be adequate supply? NEWS READ MORE »
23 Years Ago: The Fatal Crash of American Airlines Flight 587 Article covering the 23rd anniversary of American Airlines flight 587 and the ceremonies held to commemorate those lives lost NEWS READ MORE »


SHOP

$2999
NEW!AeroXplorer Aviation Sweater Use code AVGEEK for 10% off! BUY NOW

FOLLOW US ONLINE