16 Oct 2012

Fine increased over Safe Air employee death

3:44 pm on 16 October 2012

The High Court has increased a fine imposed on an aircraft maintenance company owned by Air New Zealandafter an employee was killed by being sucked through a jet engine.

In May this year, Safe Air Limited was fined $56,250 and ordered to pay $22,250 in reparations for failing to ensure the safety of an employee.

Aviation engineer Miles Hunter, 51, died at Marlborough Airport in August last year after he walked in front of the engine of a C-130 Hercules which was undergoing testing.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment appealed against the original sentence, saying the fine did not reflect the seriousness of Safe Air's failing.

The High Court increased the fine to $70,000 but the amount for reparations is unchanged.