The unfortunate death of Stephanie Cosme, a testing engineer employed by Sumaria Systems, LLC—an Air Force contractor—has resulted in a lawsuit from her family, claiming that underlying discrimination significantly contributed to the tragic event.
Cosme lost her life on September 7, 2023, at Gray Butte Airfield in California, when the rotating propeller of an MQ-9A Reaper drone struck her during a standard ground test.
Initial Investigation Findings
Initially, a U.S. Air Force representative informed Cosme’s family that she had not followed the proper procedures, which left them feeling unsettled and looking for deeper answers.
After an extensive eight-month investigation, they started to suspect that the reality surrounding her death was considerably more intricate.
Their concerns were later validated by findings from the U.S. Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation Board, which noted that Cosme’s trainer had hurried through the training and failed to provide her with adequate instructions on how to collect data from the drone.
Allegations of Discrimination
However, the recently filed lawsuit reveals a more concerning reality, pointing to alleged gender and racial discrimination orchestrated by Derek Kirkendall, the testing director.
The family argues that Kirkendall consistently exhibited a hostile attitude toward Hispanic employees, and they believe his actions on that fateful day were directly tied to Cosme’s tragic outcome.
Kirkendall and representatives from Sumaria Systems have denied these charges, promising to vigorously challenge the allegations in court.
Although the Air Force’s official report did not cite discrimination as a contributing factor to Cosme’s death, her family’s legal team has brought forward witness testimonies indicating that Kirkendall deliberately isolated Cosme from her colleagues and assigned her dangerous tasks on the day of the incident.
The lawsuit further alleges that Kirkendall referred to Cosme in derogatory terms, labeling her as “lazy.”
Impact on Family and Workplace Culture
Cosme’s sister shared the family’s ongoing pain and confusion in the wake of her death, describing sleepless nights spent grappling with unanswered questions.
Their pursuit of justice has also uncovered previous complaints lodged against Kirkendall by another Latina engineer, who resigned after facing similar harassment.
Further testimonies reveal that Kirkendall placed Cosme in a precarious situation on the day of her death, instructing her to remain unattended in direct sunlight for a trivial task near a running aircraft.
This decision created a scenario where her safety was severely compromised.
The Air Force report corroborated that ground crew members were unaware of Cosme’s responsibilities and that Kirkendall intended for her to approach the aircraft with its propeller still spinning.
The incident highlights the ongoing struggles women face in predominantly male fields.
Civil rights attorney Katz notes that such environments often lead to harassment and dangerous conditions for women like Cosme.
Besides Cosme, the lawsuit mentions that other male Hispanic employees have left Sumaria due to similar treatment from Kirkendall.
However, the Associated Press has not been able to verify these claims or obtain confirmation about the earlier complaints against him.
As of now, Sumaria has not responded to inquiries related to the allegations or any actions taken following the Air Force investigation’s findings.
While the details from the Air Force’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Board are publicly available, the safety improvement recommendations remain confidential.
Additionally, Sumaria is contesting fines amounting to $38,055 imposed by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, asserting that Cosme did not follow her training protocols.
Legal experts underline the difficulty of proving discrimination in cases involving deceased victims, particularly in workplaces that may discourage complaints.
For the Cosme family, the absence of accountability for the factors contributing to Stephanie’s death—just months before her wedding—has been a heavy burden.
They are seeking a jury trial along with unspecified damages.
Stephanie Cosme is treasured in memory by her family as a dedicated engineer who thrived in a challenging profession.
In a deeply moving gesture, her family laid her to rest in her wedding gown, carefully altered to cover her injuries.
Her father, Mario Cosme, expressed the profound grief felt by the family, emphasizing how certain individuals and systemic failures robbed them of the vibrant life they once shared.
Source: Militarytimes