A ramp agent at a U.S. airport sustained serious injuries from the jet blast of a taxiing Airbus A319 after misinterpreting a ground signal. The incident occurred as the aircraft, operating with one CFM-56 engine running, approached the gate. Witnesses reported the agent entered the jet blast danger zone despite hand signals directing clearance.
The A319, similar to those involved in prior fatal engine ingestion cases, generates powerful airflow even at idle. On June 23, 2023, at San Antonio International Airport (SAT), a Unifi Aviation ground worker employed by Delta Air Lines contractor was fatally ingested into the operating engine of Delta Flight 1111 from Los Angeles. The NTSB noted the aircraft taxied using one engine post-arrival at 22:25 CDT. Unifi stated the event was unrelated to its safety procedures.
This followed a December 31, 2022, fatality at Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM), where Piedmont Airlines ramp agent Courtney Edwards was ingested into an Embraer E175LR’s portside engine. The aircraft’s inoperative APU necessitated running engines for cooldown; pre-arrival briefings warned personnel, yet surveillance showed Edwards approaching the engine despite a co-worker’s warning. The NTSB confirmed the rotating beacon remained active. OSHA fined Piedmont the maximum $15,625 for safety violations.
Jet engines like the CFM-56 create intense intake suction, pulling in air and nearby objects. Standard procedures require ramp workers to maintain distance until beacons extinguish and engines shut down. Investigations into both events continue, highlighting persistent risks during single-engine taxi operations.