State officials fined American Eagle Airlines $6,300 for violations that helped cause the death of a baggage handler at Raleigh-Durham International Airport this summer.
Lufuluabo Kalonji, 43, died July 31 when he was pinned between a plane and a "ramp tug" used to pull baggage, according to an autopsy report.
On Tuesday, the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health fined the company, saying that Kalonji was not trained to use the tug and that it was not properly marked, contributing to his death.
The company was fined $3,150 for each violation. A spokeswoman said the company has not determined whether it will appeal the fines. It has 10 calendar days to do so.
An internal investigation by American Eagle produced findings similar to those of the state investigation, company spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said.
In particular, Huguely said, the placards on the shifter of the machine Kalonji was operating that would indicate whether the machine was moving forward or in reverse were so badly worn that they could not be easily read.
The Harlin industrial truck was used to move luggage, Huguely said.
The autopsy showed that Kalonji suffered blunt-force injuries to the chest after being crushed between the tug and the plane.
Kalonji was servicing the septic tank on the aircraft when he was last seen alive at 8:31 p.m., the autopsy said. He was found unresponsive at 8:36 p.m. and pronounced dead at the scene.
No passengers were on the plane at the time.
RDU employees voted to dedicate an airplane to Kalonji last month, and the airline has set up a memorial fund for Kalonji's family. He is survived by his wife and infant daughter.
"Our hearts still go out to his family," Huguely said. "It has to be particularly hard for them around the holidays."
Kalonji's family could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
