A ground worker at Alabama’s Montgomery Regional Airport was killed in an industrial accident Saturday, causing flights to come to a temporary halt, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 2:20 p.m. on an airport ramp near a parked American Airlines Embraer E175, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a preliminary statement.

The worker was an employee of Piedmont Airlines, a regional carrier of American Airlines, the parent company said in a statement.

“We are focused on making sure everyone involved has the support they need during this difficult time,” American said.

The worker’s name had not been released. Local first responders and the medical examiner did not immediately respond to requests for more information.

Air traffic was halted after the crash and the local ground stop lasted until 8:30 p.m., the airport said in a statement.

«We are saddened to hear of the tragic loss of an AA/Piedmont Airlines team member,» Wade A. Davis, the airport’s chief executive officer, said in the statement.

The FAA said it would investigate in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board.

jay blackman Y claudia johnson contributed.