Ground Service Worker Seriously Injured by Engine Exhaust at Palma de Mallorca

Casualties unknown • Aeropuerto de Palma de Mallorca (Illes Balears), ES

A ground coordinator sustained serious injuries after being caught in the exhaust blast of an operating engine during ground operations at Palma de Mallorca Airport.

What happened

On August 24, 2024, at 15:41 UTC, a BOEING 757-300, registration D-ABOL, operated by Condor Flugdienst GmbH, arrived at the Palma de Mallorca Airport (LEPA) from Düsseldorf. After arriving at stand 56, the aircraft remained stationary with engine 2 still running because the aircraft's Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) was inoperative.

Airport surveillance footage shows that after the aircraft came to a stop, the anti-collision lights were extinguished. A ground service worker approached the front of the aircraft to place chocks under the nose gear. Following this, two other ground service workers approached the front of the aircraft to connect ground service connections.

During this process, a ground coordinator approached the front right side of the aircraft and began walking toward the rear. While walking behind engine 2, which was still operating, the coordinator passed under the right wing plane. As the individual moved behind the engine, they were caught in the engine's exhaust blast, causing them to fall to the ground. The coordinator sustained serious injuries.

The investigation

The CIAIAC investigation is currently focused on analyzing the causes and contributing factors that led to the ground coordinator being positioned in close proximity to the aircraft while engine 2 remained operational.

Probable cause

The investigation is ongoing, but the primary factor involves the ground coordinator's movement into the hazardous exhaust zone of an operating engine.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2024-08-24 BOEING 757-300 accident near Aeropuerto de Palma de Mallorca (Illes Balears), ES?

A ground coordinator sustained serious injuries after being caught in the exhaust blast of an operating engine during ground operations at Palma de Mallorca Airport.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2024-08-24 involved a BOEING 757-300, registration D-ABOL, at Aeropuerto de Palma de Mallorca (Illes Balears), ES.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The investigation is ongoing, but the primary factor involves the ground coordinator's movement into the hazardous exhaust zone of an operating engine.

Investigation report by the Spanish Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC). Original record: https://www.transportes.gob.es/recursos_mfom/comodin/recursos/a-027-2024_dp_nm_1.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Comision de Investigacion de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviacion Civil (CIAIAC), Spain - Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible.

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