Texas airport worker died by suicide after being ‘ingested’ into jet engine, confirms medical examiner.

The Tragic Death of San Antonio Airport Worker

Last week, a shocking incident occurred at the San Antonio International Airport. An airport worker, David Renner, was tragically “ingested” by the engine of a Delta Air Lines jet. According to the Bexar County Medical Examiner, it has been determined that Renner died by suicide.

Details of the Incident

Renner, a 27-year-old ground worker, lost his life when an Airbus A319 aircraft arriving from Los Angeles struck him late Friday night. The medical examiner’s report revealed that Renner suffered blunt and sharp-force injuries, with suicide listed as the cause of death.

Renner’s brother, Joshua, shared that this was not the first time David had struggled with such thoughts. However, he believed that his brother was on a positive path and did not anticipate this tragic outcome.

Eyewitnesses reported that Renner intentionally stepped in front of the live engine as the plane was taxiing to its gate. This deliberate act led to the devastating incident.

A Life Cut Short

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Joshua Renner expressed his disbelief, stating that his brother had been making progress in his mental health journey. David had been clean for over eight months, actively seeking therapy, taking prescribed medication, and embracing life to the fullest.

Renner was employed by Unifi Aviation, a ground handling and aviation services company contracted by Delta. Both Unifi and Delta expressed their deep sorrow and offered support to Renner’s family and loved ones.

Support and Investigation

Following this tragic incident, counselors are available to airport employees for emotional support. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) initially planned to investigate the incident in collaboration with Delta. However, in light of the medical examiner’s determination, the NTSB has decided not to proceed with an investigation, stating that there were no operational safety issues.

This heartbreaking event serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by airport workers. In a similar incident, Courtney Edwards, a baggage handler, lost her life after being sucked into an American Airlines jet engine. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the airline company responsible, Piedmont Airlines, for the incident.

Jet engines possess immense power, capable of “sucking” in large amounts of air during takeoff. Stanford University estimates that 1.2 tons of air per second can be drawn into these engines.