SAN ANTONIO (Legal Newsline) — An airline passenger is suing an aviation ground handling service after she says she suffered mental health issues from witnessing an employee commit suicide by walking into a plane's engine.
Mackenzie Hill filed a complaint Aug. 2 in the Bexar County Probate Court against Unifi Aviation LLC and The Estate of David Renner alleging negligence and other claims. The defendant removed the case to Texas federal court six days later.
According to her complaint, Hill was a passenger on a Delta flight that was returning to Texas from Los Angeles. She claims her seat that day was directly above the "captain's side engine" and that as the plane made its way from the runway to the gate, she noticed a ground worker, David Renner, coming close to the plane.
Hill alleges that the man was suddenly "ingested" into the plane's engine and she watched as it "shredded his body." She further alleges that the scene was gruesome as the man was "being spit out" as the engine "pulverized the rest of the human remains."
Hill claims that she has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder that has "crippled" her ability to focus, work and leave her home and caused issues with her friends and family. She further claims Renner's death was ruled a suicide and that he had posted concerning statements on social media and had a substance abuse problem.
Hill alleges the defendant's negligence for failing to control the actions of its employees. She also alleges the defendants had a duty to remove or suspend Renner from at least the sensitive areas of the airport. Hill claims she remains in therapy today, can no longer travel or leave her home and has suffered lost wages, mental anguish and other damages as a result of her witnessing Renner's death.
Hill seeks monetary relief of more than $1 million, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by L. James Wood of The James Wood Law Firm PLLC in Austin.