An airport worker has died after being “ingested” into a plane engine in the US state of Alabama.

The accident happened about 3pm on Saturday at Montgomery Regional Airport after American Airlines Flight 3408 had arrived from Dallas.

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the ground crew worker was “ingested into the engine” of an aircraft while it was parked at the gate, CBS News reported.

The worker – who was an employee of Piedmont Airlines, a regional subsidiary of American Airlines – has not yet been named.

The Federal Aviation Administration and NTSB are investigating the incident.

An American Airlines spokesperson said: “We are devastated by the accident involving a team member of Piedmont Airlines, an American Airlines regional carrier, at Montgomery Regional Airport.

“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.”