Utah authorities are currently investigating a tragic incident that occurred at Salt Lake City International Airport late Monday, resulting in the death of a 30-year-old man who entered the engine of a Delta Air Lines jet while it was parked on the ground.
The individual reportedly gained access to the airport’s secure ramp area through a terminal emergency exit. From there, he made his way to the south end of the west runway, where deicing operations were taking place. The man entered an aircraft engine that was not operational at the time.
Emergency responders discovered the man unconscious, but despite their efforts, they were unable to resuscitate him. The cause of his death remains uncertain, as confirmed by airport officials.
The deceased has been identified as Kyler Efinger, a resident of Park City, Utah, with a boarding pass for a flight bound for Denver.
Delta Air Lines confirmed that Flight 2348, an Airbus A220 scheduled for departure to San Francisco with 95 passengers on board, returned to the gate following the incident. All passengers deplaned, and the flight was subsequently canceled.
The incident came to the attention of the police around 10 p.m. after a store manager at the airport reported a disturbance involving the passenger. Efinger had reportedly exited through an emergency door onto the airport’s outdoor ramp area.
During the search, a pilot spotted the individual, leading officers to discover personal items on one of the runways, including clothing and shoes. Subsequently, dispatchers informed the police that the man was located at one of the airport’s aircraft de-icing pads, where he accessed the engine of a plane that was still in operation.
Law enforcement found Efinger unconscious and partially inside one of the wing-mounted engines, which were still functioning, at the aircraft. The exact circumstances of the engine’s operation at that moment are under investigation.
Despite lifesaving efforts, including CPR and the administration of naloxone, Efinger died on the scene. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of his death, and medical examiners may also conduct a toxicology report, as stated by the police department.