FOLLOW US

An airline ground crew worker died on Saturday after being "ingested into the engine" of a plane in Alabama, said the National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB.

The worker was "ingested" into the aircraft engine while an American Airlines Embraer 170 was parked at the gate with its parking brake set at Montgomery Regional Airport, the NTSB said in a statement to Insider on Sunday.

The agency said it has opened an investigation into the accident. "A preliminary report is expected in two to three weeks," the statement read.

"We are saddened to hear about the tragic loss of a team member of the AA/Piedmont Airlines," said Wade A. Davis, the airport's executive director. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time."

American Airlines confirmed the death of the Piedmont employee in a statement to Insider, saying it 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.

The person died while one of the plane's engines was running, Reuters reported, citing two people briefed on the findings of the initial investigation.