An airline worker was just killed in a freak accident at Alabama’s Montgomery Regional Airport.
On Saturday, a worker on the ground was near a plane that came from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The aircraft had just landed and was parked at the gate with its parking brake on "when a ground support personnel was ingested into the engine," the statement said.
The safety board is investigating the incident.
The accident is simply horrific. It's also difficult to comprehend how such a thing could happen. But it's absolutely a reminder that airline workers on the ground do have dangerous jobs.
After the incident, flights were temporarily stopped, officials said.
While the name of the worker who was killed has not been released, local authorities are expected to release that information soon.
We do know that the incident took place at 2:20 p.m. on a ramp near an American Airlines Embraer E175 plane, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The worker was employed by Piedmont Airlines, an American Airlines regional carrier. “We are focused on ensuring that all involved have the support they need during this difficult time,” American Airlines said.
The executive director of the airport where the tragedy took place also released a statement. “We are saddened to hear about the tragic loss of a team member of the AA/Piedmont Airlines,” said Wade A. Davis.
The FAA is also investigating the incident.
