An airport in Alabama saw its flights grounded on New Year’s Eve for almost five hours after a worker at the airport lost their life being sucked into a plane engine.
The National Transportation Safety Board shared that an airline ground crew worker lost their life on Saturday after they were “ingested into the engine” of a parked plane.
The NTSB shared the news in a statement to Insider, adding that an investigation has been launched into the death of the worker.
The victim, who has not yet been identified, was working for Piedmont Airlines at the Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama. The plane involved in the accident was an Embraer 170 aircraft that had landed at the airport after departing from Dallas Fort-Worth.
The airport’s executive director, Wade A. Davis, shared a statement on the incident with NPR, calling it a tragic loss.
“We are saddened to hear about the tragic loss of a team member of the AA/Piedmont Airlines,” Davis said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.”
People with knowledge of the incident spoke with Reuters, saying that the engine was running at the time of the incident and the NTSB confirmed the parking brake was set on the aircraft.
American Airlines, the parent company for Piedmont Airlines, shared a statement with Insider, saying the company was “devastated by the accident.”
“We are focused on ensuring that all involved have the support they need during this difficult time,” the statement said.
Related
Related
