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 death by engine ingestion was caused by "cognitive impairment" on December 31, 2022.
The report identified the impairment as stemming from a combination of factors, including relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and the detection of cannabis metabolites in the agent's system.
While multiple sclerosis can adversely affect cognition and cannabis has the potential for impairment, the investigation could not definitively determine if an MS flare was occurring or if the detected cannabis directly caused acute 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.