An Alabama man died after being sucked into the engine of an American Airlines plane while it was parked at a gate before a flight to Dallas.
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The freak accident happened around 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve while the unidentified employee was working on a ramp at Montgomery Regional Airport. According to investigators, he worked for Piedmont Airlines, a regional subsidiary of American Airlines. The airport was immediately closed down following the incident as reported by the Daily Mail.
Today around 3 pm an American Airlines ground crew piedmont employee was involved in a fatality, no additional information is available at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased.
— Montgomery Regional Airport (@flymgm) January 1, 2023
The incident is currently being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. American Airlines issued a statement about the employee’s death, saying they were “devastated” by the accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and members of our local team.’ Piedmont Airlines stated that they are assisting the victim’s family, friends, and coworkers.
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🚨#UPDATE: American Airlines employee baggage-handler has been confirmed dead after fatally sucked into American Airlines jet engine at Montgomery Regional Airport pic.twitter.com/VF38R3diTg
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 1, 2023
Executive Director Wade A Davis said in a statement that he was ‘saddened to hear about the tragic loss of a team member of the AA/Piedmont Arlines.’ However, public reaction to the incident varies as many wondered how the baggage handler was sucked into the plane engine in the first place.
there’s ramp safety and rules for a reason. I work for a cargo airline. if there was an engine running and the beacon was on they need to be away from the plane no matter what. Prayers for the person and their family through these times
— Lights (@Lights767) January 1, 2023
Notice how low the engine on this jet sits to the ground. If it’s running it will pull anything near it into it. Including people or baggage. Baggage handlers are taught all about different kinds of aircraft and how to maintain them including how far away from an engine to walk. pic.twitter.com/m28XXb5U3F
— Dave Schmitt (@NiceDaves) January 1, 2023
Horrible. Montgomery is a small oper. I used to fly from MI to Al every week for work in Mont’y. flew into MGM 1 or 2x then started using BHM (B-gham) and driving 1 1/2hrs. wasn’t working in aviation but I am an AC mech. and inspector. This is extremely bad scenario. Very bad…
— Csquared (@Csquared5585771) January 1, 2023
I worked in the aviation safety industry for over 20 years. What a horrible way to die. Sending my prayers and condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
— ⚜️Stuck in the other LA⚜️ (@mace_savage) January 1, 2023
Officials said they will release more details about the incident on Monday.