Tag: american airlines

Worker dies after being sucked into jet engine at Alabama airport

A ground worker who was fatally injured on the ramp of a regional airport in Alabama was “ingested into the engine” of an American Airlines jetliner parked at the gate, officials said.

The worker was sucked into the Embraer 170’s engine about 3 p.m. Saturday at Montgomery Regional Airport, where it had its parking brake set, the National Transportation Safety Board told Insider.

The flight from Dallas was operated by Envoy Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group.

The airport said the victim worked for Piedmont Airlines, another American regional subsidiary, but did not provide further details.

“We are saddened to hear about the tragic loss of a team member of the AA/Piedmont Airlines,” the airport’s executive director, Wade Davis, said in a statement.

A ground worker was killed after being sucked into the engine of an American Airlines Embraer 170 at Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama.
REUTERS
Plane involved in fatal accident
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are conducting an investigation.
WSFA

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” he added.

In a statement, American Airlines said it was devastated by the incident.

“We are focused on ensuring that all involved have the support they need during this difficult time,” the company said, declining further comment during the ongoing investigation.

The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration are conducting the probe.

When a jet engine is operating, the air getting sucked into the intake can cause a low air pressure area that can pull nearby people into the rotating blades.

When parked, cones are placed near the engines to mark the boundaries of the hazard areas, the exact sizes of which are provided in the plane’s operating manual, according to High Sky Flying.

For example, the hazard area for an Airbus A320 is 14 feet in front of and on the sides of the engine inlet, according to the site.

It is rare for ground personnel to be sucked into engines because they are trained about the dangers and how to stand clear of them.

The dead ground worker has not been identified and details of the accident have not been released.

The NTSB did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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American Airlines flight makes emergency landing at Miami airport

An American Airlines flight was forced to make an urgent return to Miami International Airport on Wednesday night after a passenger’s carry-on bag caused a worrying chemical odor.

Just before 9 p.m. local time, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units were dispatched to the airport after an “issue” onboard the aircraft traveling to Barbados.

The flight “returned to MIA this evening due to a chemical odor in the cabin caused by the contents of a customer’s carry-on luggage,” an American Airlines spokesperson told The Post.

The aircraft is seen parked in the penalty box after the flight had to make a return back to Miami International Airport on Oct, 12, 2022.
CBS Miami

“The aircraft landed safely and without incident, and customers deplaned normally.”

“All customers were offered hotel accommodations and the flight is now scheduled to redepart tomorrow at 9 a.m.,” the statement concluded.

The airline did not confirm how many passengers were abroad the aircraft.

Once American Airlines Flight 338 landed, it was taken to the penalty box — an area where aircraft can park safely without blocking taxiways. Passengers were immediately asked to leave the plane.

Some passengers said they were feeling sick as a result of the odor, and had to be taken to the hospital, CBS reports. The airline declined to comment on this.

The Post has reached out to Miami International Airport and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department for comment.

Last month, a United Airlines jet was forced to make an emergency nighttime landing in Newark after circling over the Atlantic to burn fuel.

Video footage posted by the site shows a stream of sparks flying as the plane, which was carrying 256 passengers, gains altitude.

The Boeing 777-200 spewed the sparks as it “entered a holding pattern about 70 (nautical miles) southwest of New York and returned to land safely” 88 minutes later.

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Airlines commit to free meals, lodging for delays ahead of Labor Day

Several major US air carriers caved to public pressure by confirming they will pay for meals and lodging to passengers who endure delays or cancellations ahead of the potentially chaotic Labor Day travel weekend.

The move by the carriers comes after Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg demanded airline CEOs provide free meals and hotel rooms for lengthy delays “at a minimum” due a period of widespread flight disruptions and cancellations.

Most US airlines already offered meal vouchers or complimentary lodging to passengers in the event of delays, but the benefits were not explicitly detailed in plans on their website or other public-facing areas.

As a result, some customers had to be aware in advance about the existence of the vouchers in order to take advantage of the benefit.

Airlines are alerting customers they are eligible for free meals and lodging in the event of some flight delays or cancellations.
Bloomberg via Getty Images

“For cancellations or delays within our control, like mechanical issues, that result in your waiting for more than three hours, we’ll give you a digital or printed meal voucher,” United said in a customer commitment plan that took effect on Tuesday.

“This voucher can be used for the reasonable cost of a meal at airport food vendors. If you don’t automatically get one, just ask us.”

JetBlue noted that passengers stuck waiting 3 hours or more due to “controllable cancellations” will receive meal vouchers of $12 and hotel accommodations for overnight cancellations.

Airlines are scrambling to meet surging travel demand this year.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Southwest’s customer service plan includes similar language, though it notes in bold that the free meal vouchers and lodging apply to flight delays or cancellations “within our control.”

The Post has reached out to the airlines for comment on the updated customer service policies.

“US airlines are committed to offering a high level of customer service and providing a positive and safe flight experience for all passengers,” Airlines for America, a trade group representing major carriers, said in a statement.

Flight disruptions have skyrocketed this year.
GC Images

“Carriers continue to post their customer service plans on their websites and welcome opportunities to simplify, clarify and increase transparency for travelers,” the statement added.

In letters to major US airline CEOs earlier this month, Buttigieg referred to ongoing travel chaos and flight disruptions as “unacceptable” ahead of the Labor Day holiday. The letters also demanded that airlines update their customer service plans to reflect assistance available to impacted travelers.

Buttigieg said the Department of Transportation was “contemplating” more regulations that would “further expand the rights of airline passengers.”

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had urged airlines to offer the benefits “at a minimum.”
AFP via Getty Images

“As you know, these aren’t just numbers, these are missed birthday parties, graduations, time with loved ones and important meetings,” Buttigieg said.

Airlines have been struggling to meet surging travel demand this year while contending with labor shortages and supply chain issues. Mishandled baggage complaints and flight delays have spiked during the tumultuous period.

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