A routine shift at San Francisco International Airport turned deadly last night when a 28-year-old ground worker was fatally injured on the tarmac, airport officials said. The man, identified by the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office as John Lacayanga, died while on duty. Authorities now treat the case as an apparent accident and work to understand exactly what went wrong.
Around 7 p.m., the San Francisco Fire Department responded to a vehicle service road between Terminal 3 and the International Terminal Boarding Area G. First responders found Lacayanga beneath a cargo pallet he was reportedly towing. No other vehicles were involved in the incident, and deputies initially handled the scene before turning the case over to the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office, according to NBC Bay Area.
Dnata, the company that employed Lacayanga, confirmed his death and said it is cooperating with officials and supporting his loved ones. "We are deeply saddened to confirm that a dnata team member passed away whilst on duty at San Francisco International Airport on 18 January," the company said in a statement, according to NBC Bay Area.
Investigation and Oversight
On-the-job deaths typically trigger close scrutiny from workplace safety regulators. Under procedures outlined by Cal/OSHA, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s Enforcement Branch can open inspections after a fatality, interview employers and employees, and work through its local district offices to examine what happened.
Those investigations can lead to penalties if regulators determine that unsafe conditions, inadequate training, or violations of safety rules contributed to a worker’s death.
At SFO and the Workplace
Lacayanga was employed by dnata, a Dubai-based air and travel services company that provides ground operations, cargo handling, and flight catering at airports around the world. In its public materials, dnata describes itself as a major global ground-handling and catering operator.
What Happens Next
The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office will complete its examination and later release an official cause of death. As part of the broader review, investigators typically look at equipment, employee training, and safety protocols in place at the time of the incident.
Local authorities and state regulators could flag any safety lapses or training gaps uncovered during the probe. Both the airport and dnata have said they are cooperating with investigators and have offered support to Lacayanga’s family as the investigation continues.
