Woman sues aviation company after witnessing airline worker fatally 'ingested' into jet engine

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (WOAI) — A woman filed a lawsuit after witnessing a man being ingested into the engine of an airplane at the San Antonio International Airport.

On June 23, Mackenzie Hill was returning home to San Antonio after flying from Los Angeles.

According to the lawsuit, she had just graduated from a 2-year program for equipping women for ministry. As a graduation gift for herself, she decided to go to Disneyland before flying home.

As the plane made its way to the gate, she noticed a man coming uncomfortably close to the plane on the ground, the lawsuit states. As the man closely approached the massive jet, she witnessed the man suddenly get ingested into the engine of the airplane and watched as the turbine essentially shredded his body.

She said she quickly shut her window and tried her best to brace herself after witnessing the horrific scene.

Flight crews demanded passengers to shut their windows and the plane remained parked for 15 minutes before passengers were allowed to leave.

She asked the flight crew if she needed to stay behind and provide a statement, but they denied it, according to the lawsuit. It was later learned that investigators on the ground did need statements from witnesses.

Hill states that due to witnessing the gruesome scene, she still has nightmares and flashbacks of seeing the bits of the body being “spit out” as the jet engine pulverized the rest of the human remains.

It was later determined that 27-year-old David Renner was a ground worker employed by Defendant Unifi Services at the San Antonio Airport. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death as suicide.

Upon further investigation, it was learned that Renner was struggling with mental health problems and substance abuse. Prior to his death, he had posted alarming public statements concerning his mental health.

According to the lawsuit, Hill is suing UNIFI Aviation LLC for the following reason:

• Renner had reportedly handed a suicide note to his supervisor before his death.
• In addition, he had made prior mental health outbursts online.
• He had suffered from substance abuse problems.
• Had possible criminal charges.

Hill states she is suing after learning of such information and because the company did not remove or suspend Renner from at least the sensitive areas of the airport near commercial jets operating with innocent civilians on board.

She is now seeking the jury to award damages in the following areas:

• Mental anguish, both past and future
• Physical impairment in the past
• Loss of wage-earning capacity, both future and past
• DTPA treble damages
• Reasonable and necessary medical expenses, both past and future
• Attorney fees for DTPA claims