Ground crew worker killed after being ‘swallowed’ in plane engine at Montgomery, Alabama airport

Montgomery, Ala. – An airline ground crew member working at an airport in Alabama died Saturday afternoon in an accident at the facility.

The National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement that a member of ground support staff was “swallowed into the engine” of a plane while it was parked at the gate with the parking brake on. The NTSB said Sunday it has opened an investigation into the incident.

Montgomery Regional Airport said in a statement that an American Airlines/Piedmont Airlines employee died in an “industrial accident”[ads1]; around 3 p.m.

“We are saddened to learn of the tragic loss of an AA/Piedmont Airlines team member,” airport CEO Wade Davis said in the statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.”

The airport said in a Twitter post that normal operations resumed at 8:30 p.m. and an FAA investigation into the incident is ongoing.

American Airlines did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking additional information.