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

Verified

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 her cognitive impairment, which led to inconsistent behavior near an operating engine.
Contributing factors to the agent's cognitive impairment included relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and the use of cannabis products.
Although cannabis metabolites were detected and MS can affect cognition, the investigation could not definitively determine the extent of impairment from these factors 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.