American Airlines ground crew employee killed in accident at Alabama airport

A ground crew employee with an American Airlines carrier was killed in an accident at the Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama on Saturday, airport officials said.

The incident occurred around 3 p.m. local time after Envoy flight 3408 from Dallas landed at the airport, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the accident.

"Aircraft parked at the gate with the parking brake set when a ground support personnel was ingested into the engine," the NTSB said in a statement.

The airport was closed for hours following the horrific incident.

"We are devastated by the accident involving a team member of Piedmont Airlines, an American Airlines regional carrier, at Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM)," a spokesperson for American Airlines said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our local team members. We are focused on ensuring that all involved have the support they need during this difficult time."

The airport had resumed operations as of 8:30 p.m. that night.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased," the airport said in a statement on Twitter.

A preliminary report is expected in two to three weeks, NTSB said Tuesday.