Ground Crew Member Sucked Into Delta Engine On Flight From LA

LOS ANGELES, CA — A flight from Los Angeles to Texas ended in tragedy Friday when a ground crew member at San Antonio International Airport was sucked into the plane's engine and killed.

It's the second time this year that has happened at an American airport. However, federal authorities did not find any airport or airplane safety issues at fault for the accident, and the National Transportation Safety Board will not be investigating the matter, a spokesperson told Patch.

It happened Friday night just after Delta Flight 1111 landed in San Antonio and was taxiing to its gate.

"Delta Flight 1111 had arrived at San Antonio International Airport from Los Angeles and was taxiing to the gate on one engine when a worker was ingested into that engine at about 10:25 p.m.," the National Transportation Safety Board said in an email. "Based on information the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office provided to the National Transportation Safety Board today, the NTSB will not be opening an investigation into this event. There were no operational safety issues with either the airplane or the airport."

Delta issued a statement mourning the loss of the unnamed ground crew member.

"We are heartbroken and grieving the loss of an aviation family member's life in San Antonio. Our hearts and full support are with their family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time," Delta Airlines said in a written statement.

Earlier this year, an airport worker was killed in Alabama when she was "ingested" by a Envoy Air engine at the gate at Montgomery Regional Airport.