The parents of a Utah man who died after climbing into an airplane engine at Salt Lake City International Airport during a mental health crisis have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city, alleging that confusion and inadequate security measures led to the preventable tragedy.
Why It Matters
This lawsuit raises critical questions about airport security protocols, emergency response coordination for individuals in crisis, and the safety of emergency exit systems at major transportation hubs. The case underscores the intersection of public infrastructure safety and mental health care.
What To Know
Kyler Efinger, a 30-year-old from Park City, died from blunt force trauma on January 1, 2024, after being pulled into the engine of an Airbus A220 aircraft. Efinger, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, was a ticketed passenger planning to visit his ill grandfather when he experienced a manic episode at the airport.
According to the complaint filed in Utah, surveillance footage showed Efinger displaying disoriented behavior for nearly 30 minutes, including running shoeless down moving walkways and having a distressed interaction at a retail store. The lawsuit alleges that Airport Operations staff were alerted to his agitated state but took no effective action.
The legal filing states that Efinger eventually accessed the tarmac through an emergency exit door that was not equipped with a delayed egress locking system, which would have required a 15-20 second wait before opening. Once outside, confusion among dispatchers and officers delayed the search. The suit claims air traffic controllers and pilots were not informed a disoriented person was on the runway. Efinger was seen by the pilot of the moving aircraft, who attempted to stop the engine, but not before Efinger was pulled into the engine cowling.
What People Are Saying
The victim’s parents, Judd and Lisa Efinger, stated through their attorneys that they brought the suit “to seek accountability and to effect positive change so something like this doesn’t happen to another family. People experiencing mental health crises need our help, support, and compassion.”
The lawsuit accuses Salt Lake City of negligence, premises liability, and wrongful death. It claims Efinger would be alive if officers had located him just 30 seconds sooner and describes the initial emergency response as “wholly ineffective.” Specific allegations include failing to maintain safe premises, employing an unsafe emergency exit system, and failing to implement a coherent emergency response.
A spokesperson for the Salt Lake City mayor’s office declined to comment to media, citing the pending litigation.
What Happens Next
The lawsuit is seeking damages exceeding $300,000 and has requested a jury trial. The legal process will now move forward, likely involving discovery, where both sides gather evidence, and potentially a trial unless a settlement is reached. The case is poised to scrutinize the specific security protocols and emergency response training at the airport, with implications for how airports nationwide manage similar crises.
