In Brief: American Mechanic Dies After Falling From Jet Bridge at DFW
Jesse Tabit March 03, 2015
An American Airlines mechanic succumbed to fatal injuries sustained after falling from a jet bridge at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s (DFW) Terminal D on Monday. Dave Ostang, who served the legacy carrier for 30 years, slipped while he was attempting to close and lock the door of a Boeing 767, falling to the ground around 14 feet below.
DFW officials said emergency responders were able to reach the scene and treat Ostang before transporting him to a nearby hospital. American has since released a response to the incident, stating:
We extend our deepest sympathies to our co-worker’s family and friends, and our hearts go out to our entire team of DFW airport and maintenance colleagues. Our focus is on taking care of his family and friends during this difficult time.
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Now, where the HECK is that OSHA REPORT!?! It's been over six months already! And why isn't it on Mr.Parker's desk yet so they can do a release to the MEDIA?
I think a way of putting this more delicately would be to say "let's all just let osha do their job with the investigation". I was a friend of Dave's for over 30 years and I send his family and close friends my deepest sympathies. My question was how did he have an exit route to the tarmac. However, that does not mean that there was a safety violation. That would be speculation on my part. There has been a jet bridge collapse, malfunction. I have read that these bridges are self-correcting for the weight shift in the plane as passengers disembark. There are also operator controls involved. So, let's let the experience and details that come from the osha report do the talking here. If you were not standing there when it happened, then you do not know. For those who loved and honored Mr.Ostang, your comments are one of youth and very disrespectful to a seasoned mechanic who loved his life, family, and gave American the best that he could.
What a crass comment, he isn't even in the ground yet and you're speculating about his competancy as a skilled worker. Lets hope that your eventual passing isn't public and met with the same lack of compassion for this mans family. Shame on you!
Your lack of compassion is astonishing. A 767 is a large plane if you hadn't noticed, so that's how one would fall 14 ft. Unless you were a witness to the scene, your speculation about safety procedures is just that. Not a labor apologist by any means but maybe the union negotiated a good contract for their mechanics, is your safety not worth it? Are you the same type who complains when aircraft maintenance is outsourced? The overpaid comment is out of line. 30 minutes or 30 years on the job, this is tragic regardless if caused by bad luck or overlooked safety.
I can understand that a person may slip , but how does one fall 14 feet. Seems to me he was an experienced , overpaid employee who didn;t follow safety procedures.