As a Navy pilot, a member of the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, and as an airline operations executive, Mr. Ditchey has a lifetime of experience in aircraft ground operations.  He has been engaged as an Expert Witness in litigation associated with ground events, such as:

• An airline ramp worker was severely injured at JFK and he was rendered a quadriplegic in an accident involving jet blast.  Mechanic error was involved.
  
• Two wide body aircraft (a B777 and an MD11) were seriously damaged in different towing accidents at LAX.
  
• A B767 was seriously damaged when its nose gear collapsed.  Both maintenance error at a repair station and mechanic error was involved.

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Working in the immediate vicinity of a jet aircraft is a serious, dangerous job that requires significant training and constant supervision. The danger is exacerbated by noise, jet blast, and a very high level of activity.

Sometimes, activities that seem to be routine and simple can go horribly wrong.

Skill Three

The total number of activities associated with the handling of an airline's aircraft at the terminal is complex and demanding.  The pace of events is a challenge to train and manage..