David Renner, the 27-year-old employee at San Antonio International Airport who lost his life at his place of work, is believed to have died by suicide after stepping in front of a jetliner engine.
The tragic incident took place after Delta Flight 1111 had safely landed and taxied to the gate on Friday, according to a source who spoke with The Guardian.
It was reported by VT that emergency services swiftly rushed to the scene after the worker was drawn into a plane's engine at the airport. The ordeal was confirmed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which described the incident as the worker being "ingested" into the aircraft's machinery.
The NTSB communicated to The Guardian that neither the aircraft nor the airport had any operational safety issues.
This new report counters previous reports suggesting the incident was accidental. It was previously compared to a similar incident in Alabama last December when an American Airlines worker was fatally pulled into a plane engine due to a safety breach.
Post-mortem examinations have determined the cause of David Renner's death at San Antonio International Airport. According to the local medical examiner's office, Renner's death was due to blunt and sharp force injuries, with the autopsy indicating these injuries were self-inflicted, thus establishing his death as a suicide. These findings have been submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board for their ongoing investigation.
Unifi Aviation, Renner's employer, announced that counseling services have been made available for its staff. In their statement, they expressed their deep sorrow for Renner's family, pledging to support their ground employees through this tragic time. They added, "From our initial investigation, this incident was unrelated to Unifi’s operational processes, safety procedures and policies."
"Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased, and we remain focused on supporting our employees on the ground and ensuring they are being taken care of during this time," Unifi’s statement added.
San Antonio International Airport stated they were "deeply saddened" by Renner's passing.
Similarly, Delta shared their condolences, saying, "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."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
