Aircraft Vehicle Malfunction Causes Fatal Injury

ByJohn Lomicky

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Updated onApril 11, 2019

This case involves an accident with an aircraft deicing vehicle in winter. The vehicle operator was applying deicing fluid to a commercial plane before a 6-hour cross-continental flight. While the operator was working, a bolt holding a hinge pin slid out causing the vehicle to fall several feet. The vehicle’s door unlatched during the fall and operator was thrown from a 15-foot height. The operator suffered a traumatic brain injury from the fall impact and subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. What is your familiarity with airplane deicers?

3. Is there a safety mechanism that could have prevented the accident? Please explain.

Expert Witness Response E-022725

inline imageI have worked on similar cases analyzing airport mechanical equipment such as baggage transporters and conveyors and a collapse of the passengers jet way. I have been hired in the past to test and analyze jetway malfunctions and collapses for a major airline, as well as review injuries caused by baggage transportation vehicles. I have analyzed hundreds of industrial equipment malfunctions as a result of defective design, pool maintenance, or misuse. I am familiar with industry safety standards and practices and have been qualified in state and federal court as an expert in hundreds of cases.

inline imageI am familiar with deicing aerial devices. They are industrial trucks with hydraulic boom (or telescoping spraying arm) with either an enclosed or open bucket. The operator is either standing or sitting in the bucket and uses a Tips Ice Control Nozzles to apply water/glycol fluid at temperatures up to 200° F to the aircraft's exterior surfaces to remove frozen precipitation from the aircraft's fuselage, landing gear, and wing surfaces. This helps to prevent ice and snow from adhering to the wings of the aircraft. There are many specific safety devices which would have prevented this accident, such as the use of a double latch or recessed (well) in the door to prevent unintentional operator's contact with the door handle. This accident could also have been avoided by securing the pin holding the hinge using cutter pin or treaded end of the pin.

About the author

John Lomicky

John Lomicky

John Lomicky is a J.D. candidate at FSU Law with a multidisciplinary background. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Neurobiology and Near Eastern Studies from Georgetown University and has graduate degrees in International Business and Eurasian Studies. John's professional experience includes working in private equity as an Associate at Kingfish Group and in legal business development and research roles at the Expert Institute. His expertise spans managing sales teams, company expansion, and providing consultative services to legal practices in various fields.

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