NTSB: ‘Cognitive Impairment’ Caused 2022 Engine Ingestion

Deceased ramp agent’s toxicology results indicated possible cannabis use before the incident.

Caleb Revill

Friday, December 20, 2024 at 12:24 PM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

An American Eagle Embraer jet [Credit: Shutterstock/ LJ Jones]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB concluded that a ramp agent's "cognitive impairment" led to her death by being ingested into an aircraft engine at Montgomery Regional Airport on December 31, 2022.
The impairment was attributed to a combination of factors, including illicit drug use (cannabis), neurological issues (relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis), and low vigilance.
While the agent had a substantial risk of cognitive impairment due to multiple sclerosis and tested positive for cannabis use, the investigation could not definitively determine the exact level of impairment at the time of the accident.

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final investigation report finding that a ramp agent’s “cognitive impairment” resulted in their death from being ingested into an aircraft engine on December 31, 2022.

The report, published on Thursday, cites illicit drug use, neurological issues, and low vigilance in leading to the worker being killed at the Montgomery Regional Airport (KMGM) in Alabama.