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Air India worker is sucked into jet engine and killed instantly at Mumbai airport
A member of Air India's ground crew has been sucked in to an aircraft's engine and killed instantly. The incident happened earlier today at Mumbai Airport in India while the aircraft was preparing for departure to Hyderabad. The technician was killed after being sucked into the jet engine during push back at 9pm local time. (www.dailymail.co.uk) More...
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Reporter was interested in how many were on the flight and if they witnessed it????????Get real not for the public to even worry about worry about the mans family and what they will deal with. In that country the company will just replace him and nothing for the family more than likely.
Agree, Wonder if the Flight was Delayed?
This incident occurred during push back, at what point does it become dangerous to be standing in front of or near a running engine so that it could lift you off your feet? Condolences to the poor guy and his family.
If I remember correctly, safe distance is 50' in front and 100' back at idle.If you read the article, it sounds like no all clear signal was given because the tow bar was in the process of being removed.
As a ramp lead hand, I have many concerns here. The biggest one and the most important one is, where was the marshaller? They flight crew can never get the all clear unless the marshaller gives it. Did the pilots even confirm the bypass pin is removed by the "technician"? Or even see the tug leave? Bottom line is that this should have never happend if the marshaller was doing their job. If the pilots also didnt do proper clearance checkes, then they are also a fault. Chocking the nose gear after push back is not a common practice at some bases. We have some airlines that want it done and its not because of this reason. Its a precaution just in case the plane rolls forward if the brakes accidentally releases when the push is complete and engines are starting. There was an accident of that nature before. Just to note, if the crew applies power to the engines, no chock on the nose gear is going to stop the plane.
I read an earlier report that stated the pilot had misinterpreted a signal from the ground crew and that caused the incident. Now it seems that part of the report is being hushed up. Whatever the cause - it's an horrendously sad event.
On Dec 17th 2015 India's UPWA (Unemployed Pilot Welfare Association) reported based on initial interviews with their collegues, that the aircraft was being pushed back from bay 28L at Mumbai Airport following a cross bleed engine start, when after the push back got finished the technician/engineer instructed a helper to remove the tow bar with the engineer (56) facing his tow truck and having the engines in his back, his headset was on. In the meantime the crew got taxi clearance, the captain queried with the first officer whether the aircraft was clear, the first officer affirmed, and the aircraft started to move forward with both engines operating. The engineer remained unaware of the aircraft starting to move and was sucked into the right hand engine, the helper, who just spotted the aircraft's movement in time, instantly sat down and was saved that way. The UPWA stated following crucial points: 1) No chocks were applied after push back had stopped, 2) no clearance signals had been issued releasing the aircraft for taxi, 3) lack of proper coordination between the two pilots and ground. The UPWA stressed: "Human Factors playing important role to have patience, avoid hurrying and follow SOPs."