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David Monroe, director of San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology at Port San Antonio, was killed in an accident at the Boeing Center while moving a jet engine on Sept. 19, 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n
San Antonio Express-News file photo<\/p>\n
OSHA investigation photo of the dock ramp and engine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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OSHA investigation photo of the engine on its rolling sled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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OSHA investigation photo of the engine on its rolling sled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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OSHA investigation photo of the engine sled\u2019s casters, the focus of a new lawsuit.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Another family member<\/a> of a San Antonio inventor<\/a> killed by a falling jet engine<\/a> at Port San Antonio<\/a> has sued an aerospace company that had retrofitted equipment involved in the accident.\u00a0<\/p>\n David Monroe, founder and director of the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology<\/a>, died last year when a 2.5-ton jet engine that he and a colleague were moving rolled onto him at a loading dock at the Boeing Center at Tech Port<\/a>.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The engine was to be an exhibit at the museum\u2019s Area 21 facility<\/a> inside the Boeing Center.<\/p>\n Monroe\u2019s widow, Lorena, filed a lawsuit against Knight Aerospace Medical Systems LLC<\/a>, in Bexar County District Court, alleging gross negligence by failing to install wheel locks on the steel frame that held the engine.\u00a0<\/p>\n RELATED: Inventor\u2019s daughter sues Knight Aerospace over fatal accident at Port San Antonio<\/a><\/p>\n San Antonio Express News Logo<\/p>\n Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The lawsuit comes less than a month after Monroe\u2019s daughter, Fox Convey, sued Knight over similar allegations<\/a>, in Bexar County District Court. That case was moved to U.S. District Court in San Antonio and then voluntarily dismissed by Convey. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Monroe, 72, had contracted Knight to install casters on the transport dolly, or sled, that held the Rolls-Royce Spey engine that had been sent to\u00a0the museum earlier in 2025. Knight, which is headquartered at the port, completed its work and delivered the sled to Fox Works, the museum\u2019s warehouse and workshop, just three days before the fatal accident.<\/p>\n On Sept. 19, 2025, Monroe and Adam Ortiz unloaded the 5,000-pound engine, which was on the wheeled sled, from a truck onto the loading dock. The sled began rolling after Ortiz pulled the truck away from the dock.<\/p>\n According to the lawsuit, the sled began to move because the newly installed casters did not have a locking mechanism.<\/p>\n READ NEXT: Boeing cited after San Antonio worker fell 18 feet near presidential jet<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Knight had \u201cfailed to warn Mr. Monroe, or anybody associated with (him), that the sled was missing a crucial safety device,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n The lawsuit seeks damages for wrongful death along with a jury trial. It does not specify the amount in damages being sought.<\/p>\n Jose F. Quiles, III, of the Gamez Law firm, is representing Monroe. In December, the firm said via social media it had been retained by her for future litigation.<\/p>\n A San Antonio Police Department investigation of Monroe\u2019s death<\/a> determined there was \u201cno criminal element\u201d in the accident, but a detective found evidence of a \u201crushed\u201d job with \u201cseveral apparent oversights.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Jason Spraggins, SAPD homicide detective, wrote that the oversights included not confirming the brake on the dolly was set or that the loading dock ramp was locked, moving the truck while the load remained on the dock ramp and not waiting for more help.<\/p>\n Surveillance footage showed the jet engine \u201csitting on the loading dock, still partially on the moveable steel ramp,\u201d Spraggins wrote. Monroe appeared \u201cto be struggling with the locking mechanism on the ramp as the truck pulls away.\u201d<\/p>\n When the truck moved away, the ramp was no longer supported and began to lower, according to the report. The unsecured sled began to roll toward Monroe, who was at the front of the ramp nearest the truck.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Knight Aerospace lands 20-year deal to supply aircraft interiors to Brazilian firm<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cThe engine and dolly crash down on top of David as he lands on his back,\u201d wrote Spraggins. \u201cDavid is instantly motionless.\u201d<\/p>\n Spraggins didn\u2019t mention the sled\u2019s casters or their apparent lack of locking devices in his report.<\/p>\n The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the museum $4,965 for the \u201cserious\u201d violation of failing to train workers on how to properly use the loading dock. SAMSAT agreed to pay $3,972<\/a> in an informal settlement that was reached with the regulator on April 8.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Knight provides customized aircraft parts and equipment for the military and commercial clients. The 34-year-old company has had recent success with self-contained \u201cflying emergency rooms\u201d it builds at the port.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n