A ground crew employee died Saturday in what is being described as an industrial accident at a central Alabama airport.
Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) said an American Airlines/Piedmont Airlines employee was killed in a crash at the airport around 3 p.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the employee died where American Airlines Flight 3408, an Embraer E175 twin jet, was parked, according to Reuters. FlightAware data showed the flight was scheduled to depart from Gate 4 in Montgomery for Dallas-Forth Worth on Saturday afternoon.
Reuters also reported that two people briefed on the incident said the employee, who was handling baggage, was killed in “an accident involving one of the plane’s engines that was running.”
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MGM CEO Wade Davis said the airport is saddened by the tragic loss of a team member.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” Davis added.
Initially, the airport grounded all inbound and outbound flights, but resumed normal operations at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
Passengers who experienced flight changes due to the accident were asked to check with their airline for the latest updates.
An American Eagle plane, a regional branch of American Airlines, is seen taking off from Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama.
(Montgomery Regional Airport/Facebook)
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MGM is a civil-military airport that offers direct flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Forth Worth, and Washington, D.C.
American and Delta airlines operate from the airport daily.
An exterior view of the Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM) in Montgomery, Alabama.
(Montgomery Regional Airport/Facebook)
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The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the accident.
Fox News Digital has reached out to first responders at the FAA and Montgomery for more information.
This is a developing story.
