The Occupational Safety and Hazard Association (OSHA) has concluded its investigation into a deadly New Year's Eve incident at the Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM).
Piedmont Airlines has been fined $15,625 after OSHA found "the employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were casing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees that were exposed to ingestion and jet blast hazards."
Courtney Edwards, 34, was sucked into a turbofan engine of an arriving airplane and killed around 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2022. The OSHA report states that at the time of the incident, "ground crew were performing aircraft marshalling, wing walking and baggage handling."
Multiple crew members were put at risk, according to OSHA. Edwards worked as a ground agent for Piedmont Airlines.
A GoFundMe page to benefit Edwards' three children has raised over $120,000.
Piedmont Airlines must pay the fine by June 27.
Piedmont Airlines is headquartered in Wicomico County, Maryland. The airline says safety is a top priority.
"Every employee – from pilots to customer service representatives – work hard to make sure that we're prioritizing safety above all else," its website reads.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email daniel.taylor@1819news.com.
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