The family of Stephanie Cosme, an Air Force contractor who tragically died after walking into a moving aircraft propeller in 2023, has filed a lawsuit claiming that workplace discrimination and harassment contributed to her untimely death.
Cosme, a 32-year-old test engineer of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent, worked for Sumaria Systems LLC. According to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County in December 2024, her supervisor, Derek Kirkendall, subjected her to persistent race- and gender-based harassment. The family alleges this toxic environment led to unsafe work conditions, ultimately resulting in Cosme’s fatal accident.
On September 7, 2023, Cosme was conducting a ground developmental test on an MQ-9A aircraft at Gray Butte Airfield in Palmdale, California. During the test, she inadvertently walked into the aircraft’s spinning propeller. An Air Force investigation report released in April 2024 attributed the incident to multiple factors:
- Improper training on taking telemetry readings from loaded weapons on a running MQ-9A aircraft.
- A loss of situational awareness during the task.
- Poor communication among the test team and ground support personnel.
- Rushed testing protocols due to previous delays and cancellations.
The report did not address allegations of workplace harassment but highlighted procedural failures that contributed to the tragedy.
The lawsuit accuses Kirkendall of hazing Cosme by assigning her tasks she was neither trained nor prepared for, often in dangerous conditions. According to court documents, Kirkendall referred to Cosme as “lazy” and displayed a pattern of discriminatory behavior toward Hispanic and female employees.
Sumaria Systems LLC and Kirkendall have denied all allegations. In a statement to the Associated Press, their legal representation, Saul Ewing LLP, asserted that the company “denies any wrongdoing or liability whatsoever.” PEOPLE has reached out to the defendants for further comment but received no response by the time of publication.
Debra Katz, the attorney representing the Cosme family, issued a strong condemnation of the alleged workplace environment.
“Employers are legally obligated to address discrimination and harassment,” Katz said. “In this case, that obligation was ignored, with catastrophic consequences. This lawsuit aims to ensure accountability and to prevent such tragedies from happening again.”
Stephanie Cosme was born in Fontana, California, and grew up in Palmdale. She is survived by her parents, siblings, fiancé, and stepdaughter. Her obituary describes her as a compassionate individual whose “radiant smile and gentle spirit” left a lasting impact on everyone she met.
“Stephanie had an innate ability to make those around her feel special and valued,” her family wrote. “Her capacity to love and care for others knew no bounds.”
The lawsuit underscores ongoing concerns about workplace discrimination and safety in industries dominated by high-risk tasks. Experts stress the need for robust safety protocols and a zero-tolerance approach to harassment.
Dr. Elena Ramirez, a labor rights advocate, explained, “When workplace culture allows discrimination, it not only impacts morale but can lead to unsafe practices. This case highlights the intersection of systemic bias and workplace safety, with devastating consequences.”
As the case unfolds, Cosme’s family hopes their legal battle will bring justice and drive meaningful changes in workplace policies.
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