Worker killed in aircraft accident on ramp at Alabama airport

By David Shepardson

(Reuters) – A worker was fatally injured on the ramp at Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama where an American Airlines regional airliner plane was parked, the Federal Aviation Administration said on Saturday.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident in which American Airlines Flight 3408, an Embraer E175, was parked at the gate after arriving from Dallas. The FAA said the airport was closed following the incident.

Two people briefed on the matter said the initial investigation showed the employee died in an accident involving one of the plane’s engines.

The flight was operated by Envoy Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group.

The airport said a ground crew member of Piedmont Airlines, another American regional subsidiary, was killed, but did not provide further details.

American said in a statement that it was devastated by the accident and confirmed that a Piedmont employee was involved.

“We are focused on ensuring everyone involved receives the support they need during this difficult time,” the airline said, declining further comment on the ongoing investigation.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Additional reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Richard Chang and Neil Fullick)