Home / Disasters and Accidents / Man Dies Inside Plane Engine After Mental Health Episode
Man Dies Inside Plane Engine After Mental Health Episode
5 Jan
Summary
- Lawsuit alleges airport failures allowed a distressed passenger access to tarmac.
- Deceased man, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, experienced a manic episode.
- Parents seek to prevent future tragedies and remedy their loss.
The parents of Kyler Efinger have filed a lawsuit against Salt Lake City following their son's death inside a plane engine at the Salt Lake City International Airport on January 1, 2024. Efinger, 30, who had a history of bipolar disorder, was reportedly experiencing a manic episode before he was found unconscious. The lawsuit contends that city personnel were unable to locate him promptly, despite him being seen walking onto the tarmac on a cold night.
According to the suit, communication breakdowns and incorrect location information hampered search efforts, costing crucial time. The family alleges that security failures, including improperly functioning exit doors, allowed Efinger to reach the aircraft. His dreadlocked hair was reportedly caught in the engine's moving blades, leading to fatal blunt head trauma.
Judd and Lisa Efinger are seeking to hold the city accountable for their son's death and to prevent similar incidents. They argue that improved camera monitoring and secured exits could have prevented the tragedy. The lawsuit claims damages exceeding $300,000, asserting that the airport's design and operation facilitated this sequence of events.
