Airline worker dies DAY
 

My thoughts are with the family of our fellow coworker

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/con...irportweb.html

By Lisa A. Bernard
Staff Writer

Thursday, May 17, 2007
DAYTON — The Pinnacle Airlines employee who died Wednesday after being crushed by a luggage elevator was attempting to dislodge an object stuck in the lift, according to an airline spokesman.
Catrina Coffman, 21, of Dayton died at 5:22 p.m. Wednesday at Miami Valley Hospital as a result asphyxiation due to mechanical chest compression and blunt force injury to the torso, according to the Montgomery Coroner's office.The incident occurred at 7:15 a.m. The coroner has ruled Coffman's death as accidental.
"We have some initial reports that apparently an object became lodged in (the elevator lift) and the employee in question was attempting to dislodge it," said Phil Reed, spokesperson for Pinnacle. "We are so deeply saddened by this event. It's just shocking and upsetting to us, and we want to make sure we fully understand what occurred."
The Cincinnati area office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident. Pinnacle, which operates as Northwest Airlink, provides commuter services at Dayton International for Northwest Airlines. The luggage-sized elevator used by Pinnacle is located in an area Northwest Airlines leases from the city of Dayton, which owns the airport.It's in the vicinity of the airport gates under the jetway — the long accordion-like passage that passengers walk through to board airplanes.The area is only for employees, without public access, said Sharon Sears, airport spokeswoman. "This is a secured operations area. It is something passengers do not see or use," she said. In recent history, there have been at least two other employee deaths at the Dayton airport, she said. A male employee of the Menlo Logistics Center died about a year-and-a-half ago after boxes of freight fell on him. More than a decade ago, a Trans World Airline employee, also a male, died from injuries after an airline tire exploded. Reed said he could recall only one other employee death in Pinnacle's 22-year history."I believe it was about seven or eight years ago we did have an employee who was killed in Memphis, Tenn. after they came in contact with a propeller," he said. "It was horrifying."Based in Memphis, Tenn. Pinnacle Airlines Corp. has two operating subsidiaries — Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. and Colgan Air, Inc.


From what i have heard there was a baby stroller caught in the lift that was about half way up. She was underneath the lift trying to free the stroller when it fell. very sad

Terrible news. I'm a Pinnacle ramper as well, and people don't realize how dangerous a job on the ramp really is. Such a shame.

That's terrible! My sympathies!

my condolences to her family. The ramp is a very dangerous place to work. We lost a ramp agent at Comair a while back, almost the same way.

lot of shorts on safetys on the ramp everywhere...at least from what ive experienced...

After 20 years of navy I've learned never to get under or in the way of mechanical devices which are not PHYSICALLY locked in place. Hydraulic and electrical locks don't count as they can fail or or be directed by the controls to do something other than what you want. Potential ramp gotchas:
- Belt loaders: Don't walk under or get near the belt.
- Tow bars: don't walk over these unless they are disconnected. The tug or the airplanes steering system could cause these to swing.
- Baggage carts: Don't walk between two hitched carts.
- Tugs: When walking around, give them a wide berth, or at least have a hand out to fend yourself off if they start rolling.
- Radome: Give this a real wide berth unless YOU verified the radar off. Microwaves cause cataracts, which might force you to retire before age 65.

Also watch out for speeding or out-of-control ramp vehicles. The people who drive and maintain them often don't have the same regard for your life that you do.

For those who are young and feel immortal...you're not. I personally know guys who thought they were who never grew old.

Condolences to her family and friends. Had a guy at AMW get killed at MCI about 10 years ago. Deicing the Beech, got some backspray and leaped backward to get out of the way...was run over by the fuel truck that was backing up. It's a dangerous game being played out there. Be safe!

I remember that day well, as that was my first day of IOE out of HYS with Rocket Rick R. and a winter storm was making it's way thru the area. We were all shocked to learn of the events while waiting for the a/c from MCI.

Reed said he could recall only one other employee death in Pinnacle's 22-year history."I believe it was about seven or eight years ago we did have an employee who was killed in Memphis, Tenn. after they came in contact with a propeller,"

Sounds like the PR folks have already forgotten the two pilots they lost.

Terrible news...I work out on a busy ramp and I feel as though safety is being compromised every day in order to turn that flight around quicker with less people.