"On January 9, 2002 at approximately 20:50 (L) an OAL employee
was injured at the Norfolk International Airport when he drove his tug into the
turning propeller of a US Airways Express aircraft.  The Express aircraft was parked
on gate nine with two maintenance personnel aboard waiting for clearance to
reposition the aircraft to Express maintenance hangar located on the other
side of the airport.  Witnesses reported seeing a white OAL
covered tug approaching the Express aircraft from the left rear at a high rate
of speed.  The tug made a sharp left turn to parallel the aircraft and proceeded
to drive through the turning propeller on the left side of the aircraft.  The
tug proceeded forward and to the left until it hit a steel beam on the corner of
the passenger terminal.  The cab of the tug took the direct impact of the
turning propellers and although the driver's injuries are very serious they do
not appear to be life threatening.  There were no other injuries.  We will not
be able to determine the extent of damage done to the aircraft  until the
aircraft is released from the investigation.  The OAL employee had no memory
of the accident or the events which led up to the accident.  He did state
however that this was his "Friday" and that he had not been feeling well.  He
had been sick for the past three nights and was getting very little sleep.  He
stated that he may have fallen asleep and did not realize what was happening"