ATLANTA, Ga. — A tragic incident at a Delta Air Lines maintenance facility has given rise to legal actions and safety concerns following a fatal tire explosion in August 2024 that killed two workers and injured another. The estate of Luis Aldarondo, 37, who was among the deceased, has filed a lawsuit against the airline, citing severe safety lapses.
The lawsuit was lodged in Gwinnett County State Court on March 28, demanding a jury trial for what it describes as preventable circumstances leading to Aldarondo’s death. Also killed in the incident was 58-year-old Mirko Marweg. Both men were employees at the airline’s TechOps facility, working specifically in the tire and wheel shop where the explosion occurred.
In a related development, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has imposed a $16,550 fine on Delta, highlighting unsafe practices at the airline’s facility. OSHA’s citation pointed out that the company failed to maintain a work environment free from hazards known to cause, or likely to cause, serious physical harm or death.
According to OSHA, the workers were at risk of being struck by flying debris due to inadequate procedures for deflating aircraft tires. The agency detailed that Delta did not have sufficient protocols to control hazards related to the explosive separation of multi-piece aircraft wheel rims, a danger that can occur during the rapid depressurization of aircraft tires when wheel assemblies are taken apart.
Responding to the safety violation fine, Delta issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to safety, noting that it had conducted a thorough investigation into the accident. “At Delta, nothing is more important than safety,” the statement read. The airline also mentioned having implemented corrective measures that align with OSHA’s recommendations since the incident.
However, Delta has chosen not to comment on the pending lawsuit.
The deaths and the subsequent legal and regulatory actions underscore ongoing concerns about workplace safety standards within the aviation industry, especially in areas involving highly specialized technical operations such as aircraft maintenance.
This tragic event not only brings attention to the need for stringent safety protocols but also highlights the potential consequences of their neglect. Both the lawsuit and the OSHA fine serve as critical reminders for the industry to prioritize employee safety and for companies to rigorously uphold safety regulations to prevent such deadly incidents.
As the case progresses, it will potentially serve as a pivotal benchmark for safety standards and enforcement in airline operations, advocating for stronger adherence to established safety practices to safeguard worker lives.