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Delta TechOps Wheel And Brake Shop Accident Kills Two, Injures Third
Delta Air Lines Boeing 757
Two people have died and a third is injured following an accident inside a Delta TechOps wheel and brake shop in Atlanta.
“I’m deeply saddened to share that three TechOps team members were involved in an accident that took place early this morning,” wrote Delta TechOps President and Chief of Operations John Laughter in an Aug. 27 internal memo. “Tragically, two of our team members involved passed away and one other team member was seriously injured. We are extending our full support to their families at this difficult time and conducting an investigation to determine what happened.”
The incident happened shortly after 5 a.m. at the carrier’s Atlanta Technical Operations Maintenance facility TOC 3, Dept. 391 (Wheel and Brake shop), located at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. All three individuals involved were working in service of Delta at the time of the event. In an update sent after 5 p.m. ET, Delta said the injured individual remained in medical care.
The incident involved wheel components that were being disassembled for maintenance and not attached to an aircraft, the company confirmed.
Delta’s statements did not confirm the nature of the accident but according to local media on the scene, it was a Boeing 757 tire explosion—one that sent metal flying, WSB-TV reported.
Delta said it was “grateful for the quick action of first responders and medical teams on site” and is now working with local authorities to investigate the accident’s cause. A spokesperson with the FAA confirmed the agency was aware of the event and is in communication with Delta.
Delta’s shop produces about 100 wheels and 20 brakes per day to support the carrier’s fleet, according to the facility’s website. It also performs specialized repairs.
When a wheel is removed for service, common practice includes ensuring its tires are completely deflated before removal from the rim. Deflation is done by removing the valve cap and core, FAA guidance on tire maintenance says. Main gear tire pressure on a narrowbody commercial aircraft such as the 757 can be around 200 PSI, according to Boeing’s airport planning documents.
