OSHA ends investigation of on-duty death of American Airlines employee at Austin airport
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration last week concluded its investigation into the on-duty death of an American Airlines employee at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport earlier this year, deciding the two companies named in the investigation would not face penalties, a Department of Labor spokesperson said Thursday.
American Airlines and Menzies Aviation, a U.K.-based company also linked to the Austin airport's second work-related death this year, were subjects of the federal investigation. Menzies Aviation is one of more than a dozen ground-handling companies operating at the city-owned airport.
The federal investigation began April 20, when Michal Ingraham, 37, crashed into one of the jet bridges connecting aircraft to the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Austin police were told the ground service vehicle he was using — sometimes referred to as a pushback or a tug — had "several mechanical issues," including a reported brake failure 10 days before that had led to a guardrail collision.
Chauntra Rideaux, the Department of Labor spokesperson, said neither company was cited at the close of the investigation on Oct. 30.
The scope of OSHA's investigation and to what degree its findings lined up with those of Austin police is not clear. Rideaux did not answer other questions about the OSHA investigation, including whether OSHA's inspection of the pushback used by Ingraham yielded any findings.
More on April 20 incident: Father of American Airlines worker killed in accident sues, accuses airline of negligence
Menzies Aviation was responsible for the upkeep of the pushback. When asked by police, Menzies Aviation did not provide evidence that maintenance work was conducted after the reported brake failure 10 days before the fatal crash, according to an Austin police report obtained by the American-Statesman.
As one investigation closes, another ongoing at Austin airport
The day after OSHA ended its investigation, an employee with the city of Austin's Aviation Department was fatally struck by a fuel storage vehicle on the western end of the Barbara Jordan Terminal, a secured area where aircraft often park.
Austin police are investigating Tuesday's incident. The scope of that investigation and the circumstances surrounding the crash are not clear, as police officials have declined to answer questions about the ongoing investigation. The city employee who died has not been publicly identified.
Photos of the scene obtained by the Statesman show the fuel tanker bore the Menzies Aviation logo on the side.
In a statement, Menzies Aviation said: "We are saddened by the fatal accident at Austin Airport. Our thoughts are with the deceased's family, colleagues and loved ones. The safety and security of our operations is our top priority, and we are fully cooperating with the local authorities as they undertake their investigations."
OSHA is investigating the incident, said Juan J. Rodriguez, a Department of Labor spokesperson. Any proposed penalty would have to be issued within six months of the incident, though the investigation can take longer depending on the complexity of the case.
Across the U.S. aviation industry, the frequency of accidents involving airport ground service employees is on the rise. A Wall Street Journal analysis of OSHA data found the rates of injuries per 100 employees that led to at least one day away from work increased 17% last year compared with 2019.
Speaking to the Journal, experts attributed the increase, in part, to the aviation industry's swift rebound from pandemic-era stoppages and slowdowns. The Austin airport has had a record-breaking travel summer, reporting more than 2 million monthly passengers.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: OSHA ends investigation of American Airlines employee death at ABIA
