Piedmont Airlines Fined by OSHA for Aircraft Engine Incident Resulting in Employee Fatality
Piedmont Airlines, a regional flight operator working on behalf of American Airlines, has been fined $15,625 by the US Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) for a tragic incident in December 2022. The incident involved a ground handling worker being ingested by an aircraft engine.
The fine imposed on Piedmont Airlines was the maximum allowed by law for a serious violation. According to the Communications Workers of America (CWA), a labor collective representing the interests of Piedmont Airlines’ employees, OSHA found the airline responsible for a serious breach of safety regulations. The violation was linked to the carrier’s failure to provide a work environment free from recognized hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm to its employees, particularly those exposed to ingestion and jet blast hazards.
CWA further reported that OSHA identified deficiencies in the airline’s safety practices, including a lack of effective training, unclear communication on the ramp, and inadequate instructions from supervisors regarding safe approaches to aircraft.
The unfortunate incident occurred when a ramp agent was ingested by the left-hand engine of an Embraer E175 aircraft, registered as N264NN, which was operated by another American Airlines regional carrier, Envoy Air. The aircraft was on flight AA3408 from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM). The aircraft had an inoperative Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), requiring ground power support on the ground.
According to a preliminary report by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the ground crew held safety briefings before the aircraft’s landing at MGM and again before it arrived at the gate. Despite these safety measures, the unfortunate incident occurred when the late Courtney Edwards was walking along the leading edge of the left wing and was drawn into the left-hand engine.
CWA, acting as a union, represents the interests of approximately 4,000 Piedmont Airlines passenger service agents. The union advocates for improved safety measures and better working conditions for airline employees.
The fine levied by OSHA serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety regulations in the aviation industry to prevent such tragic incidents in the future. Piedmont Airlines will need to address the identified safety deficiencies and take corrective actions to ensure the well-being of its employees and passengers.