A federal investigation is underway after two Delta Air Lines workers were killed and a third was seriously injured at the airline’s aircraft maintenance facility in Atlanta early Tuesday, Fox Digital has learned.
The fatal incident happened shortly after 5 a.m. at a maintenance facility in Delta's Technical Operations Center next to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the airline said.
The injured worker remains in medical care following the incident, which Delta said involved wheel components that were being disassembled for maintenance and not attached to an aircraft.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) confirmed to Fox Digital on Wednesday that it has opened an investigation into the incident.
SMALL HAWAII AIRLINE GROUNDS FLIGHTS AMID SAFETY INSPECTION
The Clayton County Medical Examiner's Office have identified the two deceased workers as 58-year-old Mirko Marweg and 37-year-old Luis Aldarondo, the station reported.
No further details about the injured worker were immediately provided.
ALASKA AIRLINES BOEING FLIGHT RETURNS TO AIRPORT FOLLOWING ENGINE ISSUE
John Laughter, chief of operations and president at Delta TechOps, said in a statement on Tuesday that he was "deeply saddened" to have to share news of the fatal incident at the facility's wheel and brake shop.
"Tragically, two of our team members involved passed away and one other team member was seriously injured," Laughter said in the statement, reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. "We are extending our full support to their families at this difficult time and conducting an investigation to determine what happened."
Delta said in a separate statement that it was "heartbroken," and is working with local authorities to conduct a full investigation.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Fox Digital that the agency is aware of the incident and is in communication with the airline.