In a tragic incident early Tuesday morning, two employees of Delta Technical Operations Maintenance facility, known as Delta TechOps, lost their lives, while another was injured. The Clayton County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased as 58-year-old Mirko Marweg and 37-year-old Luis Aldarondo. The injured employee has not been named, and details regarding their condition remain undisclosed.
Delta TechOps, a crucial division responsible for the maintenance and repair of the airline’s fleet, has been shaken by the incident. John Laughter, the Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations, as well as President of TechOps, addressed the team in a heartfelt message, expressing his profound sorrow.
A Heartfelt Message from Leadership
In his note, Laughter shared the grief felt across the company:
“I’m deeply saddened to share that three TechOps team members were involved in an accident that took place early this morning in Atlanta TOC 3, Dept. 391 – Wheel & Brake Shop. 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.”
Laughter emphasized the importance of safety and support within the team, encouraging employees to utilize available resources during this difficult time. The company has made Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources and Spring Health counselors available around the clock to provide emotional support to affected employees.
Delta Air Lines’ Response and Ongoing Investigation
Delta Air Lines expressed deep sorrow in a public statement, acknowledging the loss of two team members and the injury of another. The company is working closely with local authorities to investigate the cause of the incident and has assured full support to the families of the deceased and injured.
According to reports, the incident occurred around 5 a.m. at the Atlanta facility. While Delta has not confirmed specific details, sources suggest that the tragedy may have involved the explosion of a tire that had been removed from an aircraft. The tire was reportedly part of a Boeing 757-200 that had arrived from Las Vegas on Sunday night. Delta confirmed that the wheel components were not attached to the aircraft at the time of the incident, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the exact cause.
Kyle Bailey, a former FAA Safety expert and aviation analyst, commented on the rarity of such incidents, underscoring the unpredictable nature of equipment malfunctions and human error.
Community Condolences
The tragic event has resonated deeply within the aviation community and beyond. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens extended his condolences on social media, offering support to the families affected by the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the Delta TechOps team and the broader Delta Air Lines family are focused on supporting one another during this challenging time. Operations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport remain unaffected, and Delta is cooperating fully with the Federal Aviation Administration as the situation unfolds.
